Bundesliga
Augsburg secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg with Mert Kömür starring, as the hosts ended a four-match losing streak and claimed their first home win of the season.
Augsburg 3-1 WolfsburgGoals: 1-0 Banks 3', 2-0 Kömür 51', 3-0 Fellhauer 63', 3-1 Daghim 65'
Augsburg came into this match desperate to halt a slide of four consecutive defeats, with the risk of equalling their club record of five straight Bundesliga losses looming over them. After winning their season opener against Freiburg, Sandro Wagner's men had struggled to find form on home soil, where they were winless in six matches stretching back to last season.
Wolfsburg arrived in no better shape, having collected just two points from their previous four matches, though the visitors would have been concerned by their record against Augsburg – they hadn't beaten the Bavarians in their last seven Bundesliga encounters.
The home side couldn't have dreamed of a better start as they took the lead in just the third minute. Kömür delivered a dangerous cross from a short corner routine that found its way to Noahkai Banks, who fired home emphatically at the far post for his first professional goal.
Augsburg settled into a solid defensive shape after taking the lead, with Wagner employing a four-man backline for the first time this season. Finn Dahmen was rarely troubled, though he watched anxiously as Mattias Svanberg's curling effort from 20 metres struck the woodwork in the 32nd minute.
Wolfsburg coach Paul Simonis made attacking changes at half-time, introducing Andreas Skov Olsen and Christian Eriksen, but it was Augsburg who struck first after the restart. In the 51st minute, Chrislain Matsima drove forward down the right flank before pulling the ball back for Kömür, who calmly slotted past Kamil Grabara to double the lead.
Augsburg extended their advantage in the 63rd minute when Fabian Rieder's cutback found Robin Fellhauer, who finished with precision for his first Bundesliga goal of the season.
Wolfsburg responded almost immediately as Adam Daghim fired home from Mohamed Amoura's assist to reduce the deficit, but despite increased pressure and several promising opportunities - including an effort from Amoura that narrowly missed the target - Augsburg's defence held firm to secure a vital three points.
The Turkish midfielder produced a complete performance, earning himself the Player of the Match award with 58 percent of the votes. Kömür was at the heart of Augsburg's attacking play, providing the assist for Banks' opener before scoring the crucial second goal himself.
His four shots were the joint-highest of any player on the pitch, while he also covered an impressive 12 kilometres over the 90 minutes. This was Kömür's first game with multiple goal contributions in the Bundesliga, capping what was undoubtedly his best performance in an Augsburg shirt.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Augsburg 1.87 - Wolfsburg 1.86
Fastest player: Adam Daghim (Wolfsburg), 35.22 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 3-0 by Robin Fellhauer (Augsburg), 9.85 percent
Most pressed player: Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), 22 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Fabian Rieder (Augsburg), +3.55
Fantasy Heroes: Mert Kömür (Augsburg, 309 Points), Noahkai Banks (Augsburg, 251 Points), Robin Fellhauer (Augsburg, 218 Points)