Looking to take advantage of a Stuttgart side that were beaten by AS Roma on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League, the hosts were quicker out of the traps.
Die Fohlen were presented with the chance to take an early lead when Leweling was controversially penalised for a handball inside the box, but a tremendous save from Alexander Nubel denied Haris Tabakovic from 12 yards.
Gladbach’s third miss from six penalties this season kept Stuttgart on level terms, but they were struggling to create anything substantial at the other end, with the talismanic Deniz Undav left on the bench.
Gladbach defender Joe Scally inadvertently stepped up to the mantle of being the creator of Stuttgart’s opening goal, which arrived on the half-hour mark.
The American full-back failed to deal with a cross into the box and instead chested it into Leweling’s path, and the winger made no mistake in slamming home his fourth league goal of the season, all of which have come on the road.
Whistles greeted the half-time whistle from the home fans, and their mood wasn’t improved by a continuation of Stuttgart’s control upon the restart.
Nikolas Nartey twice went close to doubling the visitors’ lead, but a second goal soon came their way with Scally once more at the heart of the action.
Chris Fuhrich’s corner from the left looped to the back post where it struck Scally on the back and dribbled over the line, capping a miserable afternoon for the full-back.
Gladbach’s misery only worsened when Undav came off the bench to make it 3-0, with the forward showing tremendous footwork to receive Angelo Stiller’s pass and shuffle inside before rifling an effort through the overworked Moritz Nicolas for his 17th direct goal contribution in 15 appearances.
That put the seal on a successful afternoon for Stuttgart, who returned to the top four with their third successive away league victory, which also marked their first clean sheet at this ground since 2009.
Gladbach, meanwhile, have won just one of their past six Bundesliga outings, with their lead over the bottom three now just five points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Angelo Stiller (VfB Stuttgart)