Füllkrug's brace provides the platform as Bremen sink Mainz in five-goal thriller

Werder Bremen's blistering star to the Bundesliga season was maintained thanks to a 3-2 triumph away to FSV Mainz 05 this afternoon. Niclas Füllkrug's brace of penalties and a Ludovit Reis strike secured maximum reward for Daniel Thioune's outfit.

Fans at the Mewa Arena were treated to a goal inside 7 minutes, but it would go against the home team. Arthur, looking to get on the end of his own rebound, was fouled by Stefan Posch. Florian Badstübner pointed straight to the spot, allowing Niclas Füllkrug to convert.

Mainz's early struggles persisted, prompting a second penalty when Marco Grüll was chopped down by Danny Da Costa. Once again, Füllkrug stepped up and thumped the ball into the top-left corner. Much to the relief of Urs Fischer, Mainz constructed an immediate response. 

After Füllkrug spurned a hat-trick opportunity, Sheraldo Becker found room on the left. The striker's cross was met by Anthony Caci, rising above Oliver Deman. Perhaps the sides could have been level too, had Philipp Mwene's hit from 18 meters hadn't sailed past the upright.

Both sides got sniffs of the goal in the second half as Phillip Tietz spurned a good position, while Posch recovered to tackle Chuki. The introduction of Oscar Wojcik for Mitchell Weiser prompted a change to a back three for Thioune's side, eager to maintain their lead. 

Drama ensued past the hour mark as Ludovit Reis' deflected shot momentarily restored Bremen's two-goal cushion before Jae-Sung Lee brought it back to 3-2 minutes later. It set up for a grand slam finish, but one in which Mainz failed to equalize and prevent defeat.