Borussia Monchengladbach have moved up to third in the Bundesliga table with a 4-1 triumph over Werder Bremen, who remain bottom after another loss on the road.
The visitors matched Monchengladbach throughout the early stages, but their promising start was ruined when Philipp Bargfrede brought down Ibrahima Traore inside the box.
Max Kruse stepped up from 12 yards to put his side ahead with a calm penalty, and the hosts would quickly grow in confidence after the opener.
Oscar Wendt doubled the lead before the break by sprinting onto a long ball to lob an inch-perfect effort over a helpless Raphael Wolf.
The half-time interval helped Bremen, who reduced the deficit early in the second half when Zlatko Junuzovic picked out the top corner with a free kick from the edge of the box.
However, Monchengladbach restored their two-goal advantage in the 64th minute when Kruse's cross to the back post was headed home by Christoph Kramer.
Bremen's hopes of getting back into the match were dealt a blow a few moments later as Luca Caldirola was shown a red card for a second bookable offence in the space of just three minutes.
The hosts would dominate for the rest of the game, with Wolf being forced into an impressive save to keep out Traore's powerful strike from the edge of the box.
However, Monchengladbach would not be denied a fourth goal as Branimir Hrgota wrapped up the win by tapping in from Thorgan Hazard's inch-perfect cross.
