Stuttgart move 1 point clear of relegation zone after huge win over Mainz

A goal and two assists from substitute Chris Fuhrich gave Stuttgart a massive boost in their relegation fight, with a 4-1 win away at Mainz on Sunday.

Brought on with 30 minutes remaining with the scores locked 1-1, Fuhrich laid on a goal for Serhou Guirassy just two minutes later before adding one of his own.

The winger laid on another goal in injury time for Tanguy Coulibaly to take his side from the relegation places to the safety of 15th with one matchday remaining.

Having lost only one of their past eight home games, the home side hit the lead after 23 minutes, Marcus Ingvartsen wading through a sea of Stuttgart defenders to tap in a deflection off Wataro Endo.

Japan international Endo levelled things up for Stuttgart late in the first half, finishing off a counter from a Mainz corner with a superb volley past a helpless Finn Dahmen in goal.

Fuhrich laid a goal on for Guirassy midway through the second before scoring one of his own, the winger shedding two defenders before curling in his fifth goal of the season.

Fuhrich then laid on a fourth for Coulibaly in injury time, sealing a superb Sunday for Stuttgart.