Hertha Berlin took control of their campaign at the Olympiastadion, beating Heidenheim 4-1 in the second round of the 2. Bundesliga. The result keeps them top of the table on 12 points from four wins, while Heidenheim drop to third with nine points after their first defeat of the season.
The visitors were caught flat-footed from the opening exchanges. S. Gronning struck after just two minutes, and M. Winkler doubled the lead before the quarter-hour mark. D. Zeefuik added a third just before half-time, and the visitors had to make four changes at the interval in a desperate attempt to steady things.
Heidenheim clawed back into the contest after the break. J. Schoppner pulled one back in the 49th minute, but Hertha held firm until the final whistle. In stoppage time, O. Adewumi scored a late consolation for the visitors, though the damage was already done.
Hertha dominated the numbers. They enjoyed 51 per cent possession and registered nine shots on target compared to the visitors' three. Their expected goals figure of 2.04 reflected the pressure they applied, while Heidenheim's 1.24 suggested they struggled to create clear-cut chances.
The match was not without its drama. Julian Eitschberger picked up a yellow card in the 73rd minute, and Deyovaisio Zeefuik was sent off in the 88th minute for Hertha, leaving the hosts to see out the game with ten men. Patrick Mainka and Oualid Mhamdi had both been booked earlier for Heidenheim.
Hertha extend their winning run to four games, having beaten Bochum and drawn with Cologne in their previous outings. Heidenheim, meanwhile, ended a run of three straight victories. The gap at the top now stands at three points, and Hertha will fancy their chances of holding on to it.