2. Bundesliga Topspiel: Bochum hang on for vital three points | OneFootball

It was the perfect start to life in the dugout for Uwe Rösler, whose side claimed their first win since August 10th - a result they’ll hope can spark a genuine turnaround in their season.

Bochum made a dream start in the 13th minute. Hertha’s defenders were caught napping as Philipp Hofmann was given time to bring the ball down and turn, feeding Gerrit Holtmann, whose fierce effort deflected off the unfortunate Michał Karbownik and found the net.

The hosts then sat deeper in an effort to control proceedings, allowing Hertha to grow into the game. The visitors had a good chance to level through a free kick on the edge of the box, but captain Fabian Reese blazed well over. Moments later, Hertha were punished on the counter - Francis Onyeka, on loan from Leverkusen, started the break and finished it in style, weaving past several defenders before coolly slotting past Tjark Ernst to make it 2-0.

Hertha pressed to find a way back but were repeatedly undone by poor finishing, while Rösler’s men looked sharp on the counter and carried their two-goal lead into the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Hertha seeing more of the ball but Bochum proving the more clinical. On the hour mark, the hosts struck again. From a long throw-in, Toni Leistner failed to deal with the danger, allowing Hofmann to pounce and square for Onyeka, who tapped in his second of the night to continue his fine form from the international break.

To their credit, Die Alte Dame refused to fold. Substitute Luca Schuler pulled one back 12 minutes later, guiding home a Reese cross with his first touch. Then, in the 80th minute, Reese won and converted a penalty to set up a nervy finale.

Hertha piled forward in search of an equaliser, but Timo Horn denied Linus Gechter from a late free kick to ensure all three points stayed in Bochum. A vital win for Rösler’s side, ending a run of six straight defeats and lifting spirits around the Vonovia Ruhrstadion. For Hertha, however, it was a frustrating evening that leaves them stuck in eighth.