The in-form Jens Stage hit wide for Bremen with the first effort of the game, but the hosts soon started to show why they resided in the top half of the home points table ahead of the round.
Fabio Vieira’s long-range effort deflected fortuitously into the grateful arms of Mio Backhaus, before stand-in centre forward Rayan Philippe failed to get meaningful contact on Jean-Luc Dompé’s inswinging cross.
It had been a fairly peaceful start, but the true ferocity of the Nordderby began to shine through as the half went on.
Albert Sambi Lokonga channelled the passion with a dipping effort from distance, which was saved well by Backhaus, but Hamburg hearts were broken on the stroke of half-time
Having just won it back, Romano Schmid found Stage, who burst into space on the edge of the area and struck emphatically into the far corner.
Despite having to wait unusually long for the second half to begin, Hamburg clearly had the motivation to get back into it, despite Daniel Heuer Fernandes having to tip over Senne Lynen’s drive.
Bakery Jatta’s back-post effort was kept out by Backhaus, but the Bremen stopper could do nothing to prevent Sambi Lokonga from turning brilliantly among the melee in the penalty area and swiping in with his left foot.
Not satisfied with levelling things up, Hamburg rallied and soon hit a remarkable second. Vieira’s free-kick delivery was perfect for Luka Vuskovic, but no one could have predicted the young defender to produce a stunning backheeled volley to put his side in front.
It was now Bremen who had to do the chasing, and barely three more minutes had gone by before they put the result back in the balance.
Schmid was instrumental in a fluid team move, eventually passing it across the area for Justin Njinmah to find the near post.
And that wasn’t even to be the final twist in a gripping second half.
Less than two minutes after coming on, Yussuf Poulsen sent the home faithful into pandemonium by sweeping a perfect finish into the corner from Miro Muheim’s ball, sealing the three points for the hosts.
It’s Hamburg’s first H2H victory at this venue since April 2016, while Bremen are still waiting for a first away win since mid-September.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Albert Sambi Lokonga (Hamburger SV)