Stuttgart snapped a nine-game winless streak in the Bundesliga by streaking past 10-man Hoffenheim to finish the first half of the Bundesliga season on a high note.

Ciprian Marica put Stuttgart ahead with his penalty after 32 minutes only to see Maicosuel equalise in the 44th minute.

Luiz Gustavo saw red after 52 minutes, before Cacau gave the hosts the lead again in the 68th minute and Sami Khedira scored an own goal eight minutes from time.

Stuttgart came into the game with just five goals in their nine games but secured the first Bundesliga victory for new coach Christian Gross, whose moved up to 14th place.

Hoffenheim were without four first-team players as keeper Timo Hildebrand, Marvin Compper, Tobias Weis and Demba Ba were all out with swine flu.

The hosts had the first chance after 13 minutes as Pavel Pogrebnyak sent a dangerous cross into the area and Timo Gebhart's shot from six yards went for a corner.

The hosts went ahead from the spot just after the half-hour mark. Andreas Ibertsberger handled a ball in the area and Marica sent the penalty past Daniel Haas, who dived the right way.

But the visitors equalised a minute before the break as Maicosuel's curling free-kick over the wall from 24 yards found the upper left corner.

Hoffenheim went a man down in the 52nd as Luiz Gustavo received a second yellow card.

The hosts took advantage and grabbed the lead again with 22 minutes left. Pogrebnyak one-timed a cross from the left side into the path of Cacau, who beat Haas to the near left post.

Sebastian Rudy's long-distance shot went just over the crossbar with 12 minutes remaining.

Gebhart could have decided the game but could not beat Haas one on one from 30 yards though Cacau was on the counter attack with him.

Khedira showed his team-mate how it is done on the counter two minutes later for the victory.