Freiburg beat Schalke to go top, Cologne win derby as fans misbehave

Freiburg went top of the Bundesliga after Keisuke Gotō made amends for Japanese compatriot Yuito Suzuki's dismissal with the late winner in a 2-1 victory over Schalke on Sunday. 

The Black Forest side took advantage of Borussia Dortmund drawing 2-2 with Werder Bremen on Friday and Bayern Munich managing the same score at Augsburg on Saturday.

The Europa League runners-up moved on to 13 points after five games, above Dortmund on goal difference and two ahead of champions Bayern.

Maxi Eggestein put the home team in front when he pounced after Loris Karius had saved Matthias Ginter's header following a corner.

Promoted Schalke levelled in similar fashion on the half hour when Mio Backhaus' punch after a corner fell to Adrian Gantenbein, who scored on his first Bundesliga start.

Two bookings meant Japan's Suzuki was dismissed midway through the second half, but countryman Gotō spared his blushes with a first Bundesliga goal. The substitute netted with a powerful header on 85 minutes.

Eggestein, whose side have never reached the Champions League despite some close shaves, told DAZN: "Realistically Bayern will finish top again. We just want to keep going. 

"We want to continue to develop and set our own goals. We have big expectations of ourselves and that is what counts. We are in the mix this season."

Gladbach fan trouble

Cologne's Saïd El Mala earlier scored a sublime clincher as new Borussia Mönchengladbach coach Alexander Blessin saw the Bundesliga's bottom side lose 2-1 away - their fifth loss in five games so far this season.

What appeared to be Gladbach fans threw fireworks towards the pitch and stands at times during the passionate Rhine Derby, causing a short second-half delay, but calm was restored.

US defender Joe Scally equalized for Gladbach late in the first half after Iceland's Ísak Jóhannesson had given the hosts the advantage.

But Germany winger El Mala cut in from the left-hand side in trademark style on 67 minutes and fired into the far corner from 20 metres. A video review for a foul in the build-up went the Billygoats' way.

Former St Pauli boss Blessin replaced Eugen Polanski during the international break after the Foals conceded 16 goals in their opening four defeats.

Now Gladbach remain the only side in the German top-flight on zero and are seven points behind mid-table rivals Cologne.

Blessin said: "I can't criticize the guys. They have given everything in the 90 minutes."

A possible serious injury to Cologne's Ellyes Skhiri was the only negative for the hosts.