Koln claim late draw in topsy turvy clash against Monchengladbach

Koln had to settle for a 3-3 draw against SC Freiburg at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Saturday.

The match began at a frantic pace with the visitors taking the lead in the first minute through a Jens Castrop finish, but Koln responded in the fifth minute courtesy of Said El Mala before teammate Ragnar Ache scored two minutes later to turn the tie.

Monchengladbach restored parity in the 21st minute after Philipp Sander found a bit of space and unleashed a deflected shot into the net to level the scoreline.

The Foals retook the lead at the hour mark as the outstanding Castrop completed his brace with a thunderous shot into the top corner.

The home side had to wait until the 85th minute to draw level via an Eric Martel header, however the Koln midfielder was sent off just a minute later for a reckless challenge as the sides shared the spoils.

Werder pull away from relegation zone, hamper Wolfsburg's chances

Werder Bremen claimed an important 1-0 victory away to 17th placed Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena on Saturday.

Bremen entered the clash in 15th position on the Bundesliga table, only four points behind second from last Wolfsburg, who are winless in their last ten league matches.

The home side were dominant in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Mio Backhaus into making numerous saves including an excellent stop following a 15th minute Jonas Wind header.

Wolfsburg continued the dominance in search of an opener, with captain Christian Eriksen heavily involved but Joakim Mæhle and Mohamed Amoura missed their respective chances.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play when Felix Agu fed Justin Njinmah to convert expertly with a fine curler in the 68th minute.

Wolfsburg could not breach a disciplined Bremen's defence in search of an equalizer and finished the match with ten men after Moritz Jenz sending off.

Bayern crush Berlin in emphatic display

Bayern Munich returned to winning ways in the league with a 4-0 win against Union Berlin at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

The Bavarians controlled the match from the onset but had to wait for the 44th minute to get a goal, with Michael Olise finishing neatly after good work from Leon Goretzka.

Serge Gnabry then doubled the lead for the home side in the first minute of additional time for his seventh goal of the season.

The visitors continued to have no answers for Bayern's onslaught in the second half, with Harry Kane guiding home a cool finish from a Konrad Laimer cross for the third goal in the 50th minute.

Gnabry completed his brace in the 68th minute to ensure a dominant victory after the draw against Dortmund last weekend.

Heidenheim claw back twice in six goal thriller

Heidenheim had to come back from behind twice to earn a 3-3 draw against Bayer Leverkusen at Voith-Arena on Saturday.

The host began brightly but found themselves behind in the 22nd minute when Malik Tillman converted Aleix García's cross from the right before Patrik Schick doubled the lead with a header ten minutes before the break.

Frank Schmidt made changes at half time and was duly rewarded as Heidenheim pulled one back after Hennes Behrens reduced the deficit with a speculative cross-shot.

The home side levelled the score in the 72nd mintue after substitute Marvin Pieringer converted from the penalty spot following being fouled by Robert Andrich.

Schick restored Leverkusen's lead seven minutes later but supersub Pieringer completed his brace with a powerful header in the 85th minute as the teams shared the points.

Dortmund produce late heroics to humble Hamburg

Borussia Dortmund scored three goals in the last 20 minutes of the 3-2 win against Hamburg at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

The BVB applied the pressure early on, but it was the visitors who took a surprise lead in the 19th minute through Philip Otele from a William Mikelbrencis assist.

Hamburg doubled their tally when Fabio Vieira teed up Albert Sambi Lokonga, who fired his shot past Gregor Kobel from inside the area in the 38th minute.

Dortmund boss Niko Kovac brought on Ramy Bensebaini and Serhou Guirassy at half time as he attempted to find a way back into the match, but their efforts were being stopped by impressive goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes.

The home side finally scored from the spot in the 73rd minute after Mikelbrencis fouled Beier in the box with Bensebaini converting the penalty.

Fellow substitute Serhou Guirassy then levelled the score five minutes later after tapping home from close range after Fernandes has saved his initial header.

Five minutes later, Dortmund got their winner when Miro Muheim was adjudged to have handled in the box, with Bensebaini stepping up to score his second penalty and secure the win.

Nedbank Cup Preview: Orlando Pirates ready to lock horns with Sekhukhune United