Freiburg go top despite draw at Hertha Berlin

Berlin, Oct 9, 2022 (AFP) - Freiburg took over top spot in the Bundesliga on Sunday after a 2-2 draw at Hertha Berlin.

The draw -- Freiburg's third in their past four games -- sent the visitors a point clear of Union Berlin, who can reclaim first place by avoiding defeat at lowly Stuttgart later on Sunday.

Freiburg's Daniel-Kofi Kyereh opened the scoring after 22 minutes, set up by Japanese winger Ritsu Doan.

Hertha struck back just 10 minutes later, when Dodi Lukebakio converted a penalty.

Suat Serdar scored a superb solo goal in the 61st minute to give Hertha the lead.

With the home side seemingly on track for what would have been just their second win of the season, substitute Kevin Schade scored in the 78th minute, pouncing on a free-kick fumbled by goalkeeper Oliver Christensen.

In the closing stages it was Hertha rather than Freiburg who looked more dangerous, but the visitors held on to claim a valuable point.

Ramy Bensebaini scored a brace as Borussia Moenchengladbach thrashed 10-man Cologne in the Rhine derby 5-2 at home.

Cologne saw Florian Kainz, who had earlier scored a penalty, sent off in first-half injury time after conceding a spot-kick and picking up a second yellow card.

Algeria international Bensebaini converted from the spot to give Gladbach, who had struck first through Marvin Friedrich, a 2-1 lead.

Lars Stindl made it 3-1 with a goal just after half-time, while Bensebaini added one from open play after 76 minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

Cologne's Denis Huseinbasic gave his side a glimmer of hope in the 83rd minute, but France striker Marcus Thuram struck in injury time to wrap up the win for Gladbach.

Gladbach, who were thumped 5-1 by Werder Bremen last weekend, climbed up a tightly-packed Bundesliga table to sixth -- one point behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.