Hoffenheim brought a spectacular end to their 2014 with a 5-0 Bundesliga victory at Hertha Berlin on Sunday, moving them to within a point of the top six for the duration of the winter break.
John Anthony Brooks gave them a leg-up with an own goal which was followed by two penalties from Sejad Salihovic before half-time.
Hertha, who led Eintracht Frankfurt by three goals in midweek and ended up drawing 4-4, this time had to come from behind, but they were not able to as Sven Schipplock and Sebastian Rudy completed the rout.
The defeat leaves Hertha just a point above the relegation zone.
Freiburg let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 against Hannover to remain rooted to the foot of the table for the winter, allowing Borussia Dortmund to breathe a small sigh of relief.
Goals from Mike Frantz and Marc-Oliver Kempf put Christian Streich's men on course for all three points, abut Leonardo Bittencourt made things interesting in the final seven minutes and Joselu snatched the Reds a point in stoppage time.
The draw means Freiburg remain with Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen, Stuttgart and Hamburg holding their positions in what nevertheless looks an anomalous bottom five entering 2015.