Apollon Limassol FC 0 : 2 Monchengladbach - Hazard stars in Gladbach win

Borussia Monchengladbach went top of Europa League Group A as goals from Raffael and Patrick Hermann sealed victory over Apollon Limassol.

The German side remain unbeaten after four games, with two wins and two draws following this 2-0 success at Tsirion Stadium.

The impressive Thorgan Hazard set up Raffael's opener in the 56th minute before substitute Hermann settled it in the dying seconds.

Gladbach did their best to impose themselves in the early stages, Hazard letting fly from the edge of the area but failing to keep his shot down.

The Germans went closer when Hazard's corner found the head Branimir Hrgota six yards out only for Bruno Vale to punch clear.

The one-way traffic continued as Ibrahima Traore, Havard Nordtveit and Fabian Johnson all tried their luck without testing Vale.

When he was needed again Vale was up to the job, Hazard heading Traore's cross goalwards only for the goalkeeper to intervene.

The home side finally managed to make some headway of their own in the five minutes before half-time but Camel Meriem and Farley Rosa could not make the best of their openings.

Gladbach ended the stalemate with their brightest spark, Hazard, again the key figure.

Having found space to cross from the left, the Belgian whipped in a cross for Raffael, whose glancing header nestled in at the far post.

Apollon attempted to find a response but Hazard would not let them relax, breaking clear again in the 70th minute and flashing a 20-yard effort against the post.

Yet there was stll time for big chances on the away goal.

With 10 minutes left Rogerio Thuram headed Rosa's cross over from close range and in the first few seconds of added time Hugo Lopez sent a volley wide from inside the area.

With virtually the last kick Hermann settled any lingering nerves for Monchengladbach, latching on to Andre Hahn's pass and slotting home left-footed.