Cologne 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen: League leaders defeat ten-man hosts to extend lead at the top of the table
Bayer Leverkusen moved 10 points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich after a 2-0 Bundesliga victory over struggling neighbours Cologne, who were reduced to ten men in the first half of a hotly contested Rhein derby on Sunday.
Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 34 games this season, and they now have 64 points. They increased their lead over Bayern, who drew 2-2 in Freiburg on Friday.
Cologne's Jan Thielmann was sent off after 14 minutes, and Leverkusen took the lead through Jeremie Frimpong before halftime, before Alex Grimaldo scored his ninth league goal of the season in the 73rd minute to end Cologne's valiant effort.
Leverkusen, looking for their first league title, made the short trip across the Rhine, where the only calm figure in the raucous stadium was Cologne's mascot Hennes the goat, who munched happily pitchside, oblivious of the tension.
Tempers flared in the 12th minute after Thielmann fouled midfielder Granit Xhaka from behind, and despite initially awarding a free kick, Thielmann was shown the red card after a VAR review.
Despite having an extra man, Leverkusen struggled to create clear-cut opportunities until the 37th minute.
Grimaldo's cross was flicked on by Patrik Schick, and Frimpong tapped home from close range for his eighth league goal this season, giving Leverkusen a 1-0 lead at the break.
Six minutes after the break, Cologne had a chance to level when Rasmus Carstensen's cross was met by the unmarked Sargis Adamyan, but his volley hit the post, leaving goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky well beaten.
Despite the extra man, Leverkusen worked hard, and manager Xabi Alonso brought on Borja Iglesias and Amine Adli with 25 minutes remaining, with Adli's work setting up the second goal eight minutes later.
He pulled the ball back from the goal line to the edge of the six-yard box, where Grimaldo's first-time shot deflected off Cologne defender Julian Chabot and passed through keeper Marvin Schwabe's legs.
Leverkusen easily saw out the rest of the game, and with 10 games remaining, they will now be expected to go from "Neverkusen" to taking the crown away from Bayern, winners of the last 11 Bundesliga titles, despite their players' caution for the time being.
"There are still a few games to play. We have seen in the past what else can happen," defender Jonathan Tag told Dazn.
"It's important to maintain focus."
Cologne's defeat leaves them in 16th place, the relegation playoff spot, with 17 points, eight from the safety zone.
SportsLigue