St. Pauli score huge upset win over Stuttgart
Operation Rescue took a step in the right direction as Manolis Saliakas and Danel Sinani were on target for St. Pauli as Die Kiezkickers sink Stuttgart.
St. Pauli entered the match rock bottom, and with hopes of survival dwindling, Alexander Blessin's side was in desperate need of a win. Stuttgart, in contrast, had won back-to-back games and was making a charge towards a UEFA Champions League place.
The hosts made a positive start to the match when, nine minutes in, Martijn Kaars flashed an effort at Alexander Nübel's goal that was just wide of the left post.
On 35 minutes, St. Pauli's prayers were answered when Greek defender Manolis Saliakas thunderous strike found the top corner. The goal was set up thanks to some wonderful interplay between Saliakas and Danel Sinani.
Early in the second half, the hosts would extend their lead with assistance from the VAR. Referee Benjamin Brand was sent to the monitor to review a handball inside the box from Stuttgart's Chris Fühirch. Sinani, who played a key role in the opener, stepped and confidently sent Nübel the wrong way and gave St. Pauli a 2-0 goal lead.
St. Pauli were made to sweat late in the game when Jamie Leweling ruined Nikola Vasilj's clean sheet. A scramble in the goalmouth that wasn't cleared by the hosts, and the German international was on hand for his 5th goal of the campaign.
The win means St. Pauli are only two points adrift of safety following defeats for Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen.
