Didavi brace lifts Stuttgart past Wolfsburg, out of drop zone
Stuttgart moved out of the Bundesliga's bottom three thanks to a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg - their first victory in six.
Maximilian Arnold gave the visitors the lead, but an inspirational Daniel Didavi brought the Swabians level before Filip Kostic put them in front.
The hosts wasted several chances before Didavi gave them a cushion they would not throw away with his second of the game early in the second half.
Stuttgart ended with 10 men after Toni Sunjic was given his marching orders with 20 minutes remaining, but Jurgen Kramny's men held on to a much-needed victory.
Wolfsburg took the lead in the 14th minute when Stuttgart were caught short at the back following a rapid counter-attack by the away side.
Max Kruse's shot was well saved by Przemyslaw Tyton but the ball fell to Daniel Caligiuri, who pulled it back for Arnold to place into the far bottom corner of the net.
It was a fine finish but the shot Didavi unleashed to bring Stuttgart level midway through the first half was even more spectacular.
He took aim from 25 yards out, sending a dipping and curling shot into the far corner of Diego Benaglio's goal with the Swiss custodian unable to reach it.
The Swabians took the lead with a counter-attack similar to the one which had seen them fall behind. Christian Gentner sent Timo Werner through and he showed the same awareness as Caligiuri to find Kostic at the far post to convert from close range.
Werner got in around the back once again moments later, this time teeing up Lukas Rupp whose shot came back off the inside of the post.
Werner was teasing the Wolfsburg defence, although he could not keep his composure to score himself when put clean through on goal in the 42nd minute, instead shooting against Benaglio.
Stuttgart and, in particular, Didavi picked up from where they had left off at the start of the second half with some more quick passes setting the former Germany Under-21 international up to sweep in a third, finding the top left-hand corner from just inside the penalty area.
Werner was once again denied in a one-on-one with Benaglio as Stuttgart sought to turn the screw.
They lost Sunjic to a second yellow card in the 70th minute and had to survive some fierce Wolfsburg attacks, but came through unscathed for all three points.
