Hertha BSC Berlin 2 - 1 Koln: Hertha Berlin keep pressure on Bayern Munich by ending Cologne's unbeaten start

Posted Sunday, October 23, 2016 by PA

Hertha Berlin inflicted Cologne's first defeat of the season to put the pressure on Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga.

Vedad Ibisevic put the hosts in front before the league's top scorer Anthony Modeste levelled. Niklas Stark grabbed the decider in a 2-1 success for Pal Dardai's men, who moved above their opponents into second place.

Cologne made a bright start but Hertha took the lead in controversial fashion in the 13th minute through Ibisevic. Mitchell Weiser appeared to use his arm in winning the ball against Jonas Hector and his cross was met by the Bosnian, who struck the ball first time and found the bottom left-hand corner.

Timo Horn made an excellent save to deny Hertha a second early in the second half as he pushed Marvin Plattenhardt's shot over the crossbar.

Modeste was starting to make a nuisance of himself and the league's top-scorer brought the Goats level in the 65th minute with one of his easiest goals of the season, turning in Leonardo Bittencourt's cross from close range.

Modeste and John Anthony Brooks missed chances at either end before Hertha regained the lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Julian Schieber pulled the ball across for Stark to head in from close range and that proved to be the winner for the Old Lady. Simon Zoller hit the post and Rune Jarstein's attempted clearance then hit the other post as the ball simply would not go in for the visitors, who had to accept defeat for the first time this season.