Max Kruse scored twice as Wolfsburg thrashed Werder Bremen 6-0 this afternoon to close the gap on second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

The hosts were on top from the first whistle and they were in front inside 11 minutes when Christian Trasch created the space out wide to deliver a cross which Alejandro Galvez could only divert into his own net under pressure.

Werder rarely threatened in a frustrating first half for the visitors, and they could have been further behind had Bas Dost not headed over from Zlatko Junuzovic's inviting cross.

Almost inevitably, the second goal arrived just before the break as Kruse, making his return from injury in attack, headed in from Vieirinha's free kick.

It was a familiar story in the second half as Wolfsburg dominated to all but clinch the win with a third goal when Marcel Schafer capitalised on the space out wide to find Vieirinha, who converted the cross at the back post.

The Wolfsburg attack continued to cause problems for the visitors on the way to making it 4-0 with a quarter of the match remaining, as substitute Andre Schurrle made an immediate impact by delivering the cross to allow Josuha Guilavogui to fire home.

Diego Benaglio was a spectator for much of the game, but he was forced into action as the game entered the closing stages to keep out a low strike from Fin Bartels.

There was still time for Wolfsburg to wrap up the game in style with two late goals, with Kruse first collecting Schafer's clever through-ball before setting up Dost for an easy finish from close range.

Kruse had the final say on an impressive return to the side as Schurrle's cameo ended with another fine pass to the forward, who finished emphatically to cap off a disastrous day for Werder.