Berlin: Kevin de Bruyne created both goals for Wolfsburg to beat Hamburger SV 2-0 and consolidate second place in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
Ivica Olic opened the scoring in the 26th minute, deflecting de Bruyne's wayward effort inside the left post from close range.
Olic had a good chance six minutes later but his attempted chip bounced harmlessly wide, and the Croatian forward headed over on the hour.
Aaron Hunt made the game safe in the 64th, with a cool finish from de Bruyne's pass - his ninth assist of the season, a Bundesliga high. The Belgian midfielder ran half the length of the pitch after before picking out Hunt, who took his time before picking his spot.
"Wolfsburg were simply better than us," said Hamburg defender Dennis Diekmeier, whose side slipped back into the relegation zone. "They deserved the win."
American midfielder Julian Green, on loan at Hamburg from Bayern Munich, made a 79th-minute substitute appearance.
Wolfsburg remained four points behind leader Bayern Munich after its eighth consecutive win across all competitions.
Bottom side Borussia Dortmund hosts high-flying Borussia Moenchengladbach in the late game, hoping to end its five-game losing streak. A win for Moenchengladbach would see it move level on points with Wolfsburg.
