Grafite scored two goals for the second straight game to lead Wolfsburg to a 2-1 home victory over Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday for its third straight win.
Grafite's first goal in the 15th minute was cancelled out by Papiss Demba Cisse 10 minutes later. Grafite struck the winner in the 64th minute.
"Our mentality was the key to the victory," Wolfsburg coach Steve McClaren said. "Of course, we know that we that we can play better and must do so. But my team showed character today. Still the road ahead of us is long."
The 2009 league champions have won three straight games, all in the last eight days, after three losses to start the season. The team is sixth in the standings after six rounds.
In Sunday's late match, Mohammed Abdellaoue scored in the 33rd minute to give Hannover a 1-0 victory at Kaiserslautern.
Hannover is third in the league with 13 points, five behind leader Mainz. Kaiserslautern is 11th with seven points.
"Clearly this was not a convincing victory, but what is most important is how we won," Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hoeness said. "The main thing is we collected these three points.
"We have to improve if we want to move up the table. But you can't get more than nine points in one week. So I am very satisfied."
Grafite, who won the Bundesliga goal scoring title two seasons ago, did not start the first three games for Wolfsburg. The Brazilian now has four goals this season.
"After our poor start to the season, the team has gotten better. Me too," Grafite said. "Headers are not usually my strength. I think this was the first time in my career that I scored two headed goals in one game. But of course I profited from Diego's excellent free kicks."
Cisse has scord six goals this season for Freiburg, which lost its second straight match to remain on nine points in seventh place.
Robin Dutt's team missed a golden chance to take the lead in the 51st minute after beating the offside trap, but Cisse struck the post with his attempt on an open goal.
