Kasper Hjulmand relieved as Leverkusen edge Hamburg to close gap on top four

The Leverkusen coach admitted his team should have wrapped up the match earlier but welcomed three important points from a difficult fixture that had originally been scheduled for January before winter storms forced a postponement.

"We could have ended this one earlier," Hjulmand told Sky after the match. "We're happy to have won but it was just one goal – we had one or two goals too few."

The decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute when Christian Kofane produced a clinical finish. After a clever through ball from Ibrahim Maza sliced open the Hamburg defence, Kofane struck a powerful half-volley past goalkeeper Janis Blaswich to settle the contest.

Leverkusen had earlier thought they had taken the lead five minutes before the goal when defender Edmond Tapsoba turned the ball into the net. However, the effort was ruled out after a handball was spotted during the build-up.

The visitors dominated possession but struggled to create clear chances in the opening half as Hamburg defended with discipline. Hjulmand's side were also dealing with a lengthy injury list, with six first-team players unavailable, which has contributed to a recent dip in form following a strong start to the campaign.

The victory lifted Leverkusen to sixth place in the Bundesliga, just three points behind fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart, keeping the race for Champions League qualification tight.

Hamburg, meanwhile, remained 11th in the table, four points clear of the relegation play-off position.

The home side nearly snatched a dramatic late equaliser when Luka Vuskovic, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, found himself with a golden opportunity. His close-range effort was saved by Blaswich before the defender headed the rebound over the bar.

For Hjulmand and Leverkusen, the result also provided a timely boost ahead of their Champions League last-16 clash with Arsenal, with the Bundesliga side still fighting on both domestic and European fronts.