Schuerrle scores Bundesliga hat-trick

Andre Schuerrle has scored a hat-trick as Wolfsburg thrashed Hanover 4-0 in the Bundesliga, boosting their European hopes and leaving their local rivals rooted to the bottom of the table.

Wolfsburg fans likely earned their club a fine by using pyrotechnic devices to delay kick-off in Hanover by a few minutes but once the game started their players put on a positive show.

German World Cup winner Schuerrle opened the scoring in the 37th minute and a quick-fire double in the space of three minutes either side of the hour mark settled the tie before Julian Draxler added a fourth.

"I've been in good form since the winter break," Schuerrle said.

"We have moved the ball well and we have deserved the win today."

Schuerrle's treble came exactly two years to the day of his last hat-trick which came for Chelsea in a Premier League win at Fulham.

Wolfsburg stay eighth but are two points behind fourth while Hanover are four points adrift of the relegation play-off place.

In Tuesday's other match, Lukas Hinterseer opened the scoring for Ingolstadt at home to Cologne before Anthony Modeste headed an equaliser in a midtable 1-1 draw.

The hosts stay ninth with the guests 10th.

League leaders Bayern Munich host Mainz Wednesday while second-placed Borussia Dortmund travel to Darmstadt.