Berlin, Apr 14: Stuttgart outclassed Werder Bremen in a 4-1 win on Friday that consolidates fifth place in the Bundesliga and boosts its chances of clinching a European spot.
Martin Harnik scored twice against his former side as Stuttgart recovered from Markus Rosenberg's opening goal for the visitors in the 25th minute.
Stuttgart deservedly equalized 12 minutes later when Christian Gentner curled a fantastic strike from more than 20 meters (yards) inside the top right corner.
Harnik scored just before the interval, and the Austrian striker claimed his 17th of the season eight minutes into the second half.
Cacau completed the scoring with a header in the 89th, as Stuttgart stretched its unbeaten run to nine games.
Werder remains eighth before the weekend's games.