Bilal El Khannouss Powers Stuttgart to Bundesliga Top Four

Bilal El Khannouss' exceptional individual play led Stuttgart to a 1-0 home triumph over Heidenheim on Sunday, securing their place in the Bundesliga's fourth position.

Following a demoralising Europa League defeat to Basel on Thursday, Stuttgart found it challenging to create scoring opportunities against Heidenheim, who are currently second from the bottom in the league table.

Amid heavy rain, El Khannouss, on loan from Leicester City, received the ball just outside the penalty area in the 65th minute, evaded two Heidenheim defenders, and curled a precise low shot into the net from the far post.

Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic appeared to have scored a second goal with a clever chip during stoppage time, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up.

With their third consecutive league victory, Stuttgart now trail league leaders Bayern Munich by six points and are two points behind second-placed Borussia Dortmund.

Later on Sunday, Hamburg will host Mainz while Freiburg travel to face bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach.