Lasogga brace fires Hamburg past Werder Bremen

Pierre-Michel Lasogga struck twice as Hamburg eased their Bundesliga relegation fears on Friday with a 2-1 victory at home to Werder Bremen that left the visitors stuck in the bottom three.

Lasogga tapped home the opening goal just five minutes in at the Volksparkstadion after Nicolai Mueller escaped down the right before crossing for the burly striker to apply the simplest of finishes.

Having ended a 666-minute Bundesliga goal drought dating back to November, Lasogga added a second on 32 minutes when he headed in Matthias Ostrzolek's left-wing cross.

Claudio Pizarro won a second-half penalty for Werder after he was fouled by Johan Djourou, but the veteran Peru striker's tame spot-kick was saved by Jaroslav Drobny.

Substitute Anthony Ujah gave Bremen a lifeline on 65 minutes after forcing home the ball at the second attempt, but Hamburg held on to move six points clear of the relegation places.