BERLIN, Oct 10: Union Berlin defender Paul Jaeckel’s late goal was enough for the capital club to lead the Bundesliga for the fourth consecutive weekend with a 1-0 “dirty win” at Stuttgart on Sunday.
Niko Gießelmann delivered a corner that Jaeckel headed in off the left post in the 77th to win a game of attrition with few highlights.
Stuttgart defender Konstantinos Mavropanos struck the post in response, before the home team had forward Serhou Guirassy sent off with his second yellow for a challenge on Morten Thorsby.
Union moved two points above Freiburg after nine rounds, and four points clear of 10-time defending champion Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
Gladbach win derby
Borussia Mönchengladbach ended its run of three consecutive Rhine derby defeats with a 5-2 victory over 10-man Cologne.
The game was effectively decided at the end of the first half when Cologne midfielder Florian Kainz was sent off for a second yellow card.
Ramy Bensebaini scored twice and Marcus Thurman completed the scoring in injury time. (AP)
