2. Bundesliga: Kiel thump Kaiserslautern to boost survival hopes

2. Bundesliga: Kiel thump Kaiserslautern to boost survival hopes

Holstein Kiel stunned Kaiserslautern to secure big three points in the fight against relegation with a deserving 3-0 victory. Tim Walter’s side scored all their goals in the first-half. The visitors will stay in seventh place after their two-game winning streak came to an end.

Kaiserslautern started the game positively as they created two decent opportunities inside the first ten minutes. Natan Skyttä, who scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture, was instrumental in the final third for Torsten Lieberknecht’s side.

However, the game suddenly changed momentum in favor of the hosts. First, Umut Tohumcu’s spectacular effort from outside the box put Kiel ahead in the 16th minute.  After assisting Ivan Nekic’s winner against Fortuna Düsseldorf on his return from suspension, the Hoffenheim loanee scored his first 2. Bundesliga goal with aplomb.

Steven Skrzybski suffered another injury setback at the midpoint of the half, but the hosts didn’t slow down after losing their captain. Phil Harres’ strike from a tight angle doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break.

In his debut appearance at Holstein-Stadion, Ikem Ugoh dispossessed Jacob Rasmussen in the danger zone before providing the assist. Centurion Julian Krahl was also at fault in Kaiserslautern’s goal as he failed to defend his near side.

Before the half-time break, Krahl conceded the third on what was supposed to be a special night for him. David Zec headed home his sixth goal of the season from Tohumcu’s corner-kick delivery.