VfB Stuttgart 1-1 Cologne
Goals: 1-0 Mangala (1'), 1-1 Andersson (23')

Unbeaten in three games, Stuttgart had the momentum, though not even they could have expected to seize the initiative quite so quickly: Mangala sent a sidefoot finish into the top corner to give a first-minute team move the high-grade coup de grace it demanded. Daniel Didavi then struck the woodwork for the hosts as Cologne, winless in 20 league games at kick-off, looked in danger of sinking without a trace having barely touched the ball. Yet, having clambered off the canvas, they actually then enjoyed the better of the first half and when Atakan Karazor foolishly tangled with Andersson from a throw-in, the Sweden international equalised from the spot. Dimitris Limnios stung the hands of Gregor Kobel and Andersson nearly latched onto a short backpass as Stuttgart wobbled at the back. Going forward, they were fluid though, and Timo Horn was required to maintain parity at the break, rushing out to block Tanguy Coulibaly's chip after superb one-touch play from the hosts had sliced Cologne open.

Cologne reopened brightly and Korbel stood up to Andersson at his near post to kick away after the Swede helped on a cross. Korbel was relieved to see the ball ricochet off his water bottle beside the goal - and not see his net ripple - when Elvis Rexhbecaj's first-time drive flashed just wide with the Stuttgart 'keeper beaten. The hosts struggled to threaten after the interval, despite the introduction of last season's fit-again leading scorer, Nicolas Gonzalez, just before the hour mark. The Argentine did hit a post in the closing stages, but the offside flag went up anyway as Cologne claimed a deserved point.

VFB Stuttgart VfB Stuttgart - KOE Cologne Cologne

Speedy Stuttgart pegged back by Cologne