Hofmann's maiden hat-trick sends Gladbach into second place

The 26-year-old winger put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute and almost got a second with an audacious lob on the half hour mark.

He again got onto the score sheet in the 53rd when he slotted in at the far post, before completing his hat-trick 10 minutes later, firing into an empty goal after rounding keeper Florian Mueller to finish off yet another quick Gladbach break.

Thorgan Hazard, who helped set up two of Hofmann's goals, had made it 3-0 in the 58th with Mainz capitulating early in the second half.

Glabdach move up to second place on 17 points, ahead of third-placed Werder Bremen on goal difference. Champions Bayern Munich are a point behind in fourth place after their 3-1 win over VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Earlier Hertha Berlin stumbled to a 1-1 draw at home against Freiburg, to drop to sixth on 15.