Terrific Terrier returns Leverkusen to fourth

Martin Terrier's backheel strike helped Bayer Leverkusen secure a 2-0 victory against local rivals Cologne on Saturday, lifting the home side back into fourth position in the Bundesliga.

The inventive no-look backheel from Terrier gave Leverkusen the lead in the 66th minute, and soon afterwards, captain Robert Andrich nodded in a goal from a corner kick. 

The defending 2023-24 champions had slipped to sixth earlier in the day following wins for Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt, yet they ended the weekend in the top four.

The clash between these neighbouring clubs along the Rhine carried a tense vibe. Numerous ultras from each team skipped the game, as a Cologne supporters group highlighted "inappropriate" and "very intense" security searches, per reports from German outlet Kicker.

Shortly after the break, Malik Tillman missed a prime opportunity to open the scoring for Leverkusen, facing Cologne keeper Marvin Schwaebe one on one but firing high over the crossbar.

Leverkusen took the lead in impressive style as Terrier latched onto a wayward pass and chipped it over the goalkeeper. 

Andrich's headed effort provided further comfort for the home team, setting them up for the triumph. 

Earlier that day, Ritsu Doan's outstanding individual effort earned Eintracht Frankfurt a gritty 1-0 win at home against Augsburg. 

This result boosted Frankfurt, who have found it challenging to balance league and European fixtures in their second Champions League season, up to sixth place. 

"It is clear we are short on energy," said Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoeller to the media, continuing: "The past six months have taken a heavy toll.

"Our display today came from strong determination."

Augsburg saw two efforts disallowed by VAR in the opening stages against a vulnerable Frankfurt backline that had leaked 15 goals across their previous five outings. 

In the middle of the second period, Japan's Doan dribbled past four Augsburg players before his shot took a deflection and beat Finn Dahmen. 

Augsburg's US defender Noahkai Banks appeared to equalise in the 87th minute, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside call. 

In other action, Hoffenheim held onto fifth with a dominant 4-1 triumph over Hamburg at home, marking their sixth win from the last eight league fixtures. 

Strikes by Grischa Proemel, Ozan Kabak, Tim Lemperle, and Fisnik Asllani sealed the points for Hoffenheim, with Rayan Philippe netting a late reply for Hamburg prior to squandering a penalty in added time.

Christian Eriksen inspired Wolfsburg to a 3-1 success on the road at Borussia Moenchengladbach, extending the side's improved form of late. 

The ex-Manchester United and Tottenham playmaker delivered a precise cross for Mohammed Amoura's strike and set up Patrick Wimmer's follow-up with a subtle no-look pass, both within four minutes around the first-half midpoint.

Having hovered close to the drop zone for most of the campaign, Wolfsburg have gathered seven points from their most recent three games to rise to 13th. 

St Pauli claimed their first victory since September, edging Heidenheim 2-1 at home even after being reduced to 10 players just before the interval.