Goalkeeping errors the theme as St. Pauli claim derby victory over Werder

St. Pauli secured a massive 2-1 home victory over Werder Bremen this evening in what could prove a pivotal relegation six-pointer.

In a frantic second half defined by three goals and costly goalkeeping mistakes, strikes from Hauke Wahl and Joel Chima Fujita either side of a Jovan Milosević equaliser were enough for St. Pauli to edge the derby and heap further misery on their north German rivals.

Given the stakes at the wrong end of the table, a tense and cagey opening was to be expected. Werder enjoyed the better of the early possession as they searched for a way through a disciplined St. Pauli back line, but clear-cut chances were at a premium.

The visitors came closest just past the half-hour mark. Isaac Schmidt delivered a teasing free-kick into the area which Jens Stage managed to divert goalwards with a toe poke, but Nikola Vasilj reacted sharply to push the effort away. It ensured the sides went into the interval level after a first half largely short on quality in the final third.

The contest burst into life ten minutes after the restart. Daniel Sinani swung in a deep cross from the left, allowing Wahl to guide what appeared a routine header towards goal. However, Mio Backhaus endured a nightmare moment as the ball slipped through his grasp and trickled over the line to hand St. Pauli a somewhat fortuitous lead.

Werder responded seven minutes later – and this time it was Vasilj at fault. Excellent work from Samuel Mbangula down the left created the opening, his low cross causing chaos in the six-yard box. Vasilj hesitated and collided with his own defender, leaving substitute Milosević with the simplest of tasks to control and poke home the equaliser.

With momentum swinging and the derby fully ignited, St. Pauli struck the decisive blow on 70 minutes. Manolis Saliakas picked out Joel Chima Fujita inside the area, and the Japanese international drove a composed low finish across Backhaus and into the far corner to restore the hosts’ advantage – and register his first goal for the club.

Werder threw bodies forward in the closing stages, desperately seeking a way back into the contest, but they struggled to break down a resilient St. Pauli defence. The hosts held firm to secure a slender yet potentially season-defining victory.

The result extends Alexander Blessin’s unbeaten home run to six matches at the Millerntor-Stadion and sees St. Pauli leapfrog Werder into 16th place. For Daniel Thioune, it is now three consecutive defeats since taking charge, with Werder ending the weekend in 17th and firmly entrenched in the relegation battle.