Battling win over Köln

Match summary

VfB had their first chance of the game after just two minutes when Marvin Schwäbe miscued a clearance, allowing Chema to head the ball into the path of Deniz Undav, whose attempted lob was saved by the Köln goalkeeper.

The visitors also had an early opportunity, with Jakub Kaminski narrowly shooting past the right-hand post.

Deserved lead

VfB fans were celebrating a short while later, though. Chris Führich’s inch-perfect cross into the Köln box found Jamie Leweling, who nodded the ball down for Ermedin Demirovic to half-volley in from close range (15’).

Sebastian Hoeneß’s side remained the better team after that, and although the Billy Goats retained a threat in the final third, VfB’s rearguard – marshalled by the outstanding Jeff Chabot – held firm, taking a deserved 1-0 advantage into the break.

Ache levels

The away side continued to be awkward opponents in the second half, playing well for large periods. They equalised in the 78^th minute when Chabot gave the ball away, leading to Ragnar Ache lifting in the equaliser for Köln.

Demirovic and Undav clinch it

VfB responded in ideal fashion, though. Substitute Ramon Hendriks’ left-wing cross into the box was buried on the volley by Demirovic a short while later to restore the home side’s lead. In stoppage time, Undav – making his 100^th competitive outing for the club – put the outcome beyond all doubt with VfB’s third goal of the game (90’+2).

Goals

15^th minute: Führich’s cross into the box finds the head of Leweling, who cushions it down for Demirovic to rifle into the net on the half-volley from close range.

79^th minute: Chabot plays a loose pass, which is intercepted by Luca Waldschmidt. He immediately gives it to Ache, who gets the better of Finn Jeltsch before dinking the ball over Alexander Nübel and into the net.

84^th minute: Hendriks’s teasing delivery into the box is met by Demirovic, who steers it home on the volley.

90^th+2 minute: Angelo Stiller plays the ball to Undav, who finishes first time from eight metres out into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 3-1.