Late Ricky-Jade Jones header snatches dramatic point for St. Pauli against dominant Cologne
St. Pauli ended their nine-match losing streak in dramatic fashion as Ricky-Jade Jones' 94th-minute headed equaliser secured a 1-1 draw away to Cologne.
Cologne 1-1 St. Pauli
Goals: 1-0 El Mala 51’ (assist: Waldschmidt), 1-1 Jones 90'+4 (assist: Sinani)
The Matchday 13 clash at the RheinEnergieSTADION pitted together two teams on contrasting trajectories. Saïd El Mala had rescued a point for Cologne last week with a stoppage-time equaliser at Werder Bremen, while St. Pauli were desperate to end a disastrous run of nine consecutive Bundesliga defeats.
The visitors did arrive with a flicker of confidence, however, having secured a morale-boosting 2-1 DFB Cup victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach in midweek.
Vasilj heroics keep Cologne at bay
The hosts quickly established control, controlling 66 percent of possession in the opening exchanges. El Mala provided an early warning after racing clear of the Pauli defence in the eighth minute, but a slightly heavy touch allowed Nikola Vasilj to intervene.
Vasilj produced an even more spectacular contribution in the 22nd minute. A low cross from the left found El Mala at the far post, and the 19-year-old's effort back across goal prompted a brilliant reflex save from the Bosnian goalkeeper.
Luca Waldschmidt's effort on the rebound cannoned off a defender's leg and onto the post, before Sebastian Sebulonsen's follow-up was again repelled by Vasilj. Pauli's resolute defending - and their goalkeeper's excellence - ensured they reached half-time on level terms, despite Cologne's clear superiority.
El Mala breaks the deadlock
St. Pauli emerged from the break with greater ambition and enjoyed a prolonged spell of possession in the Cologne half, but they fell behind just six minutes after the restart.
El Mala seized on a long clearance and accelerated away from the halfway line with electrifying pace before coolly slotting past Vasilj to give the hosts a deserved lead. The goal galvanised the Billy Goats, who tightened their grip on proceedings with sustained pressure.
Pauli struggled to mount a meaningful response, although Rav van den Berg did have to make a crucial intervention to deny Arkadiusz Pyrka. Jackson Irvine emerged as the visitors' most influential player, but even he struggled to fashion any clear-cut opportunities for the Kiezkicker in the final third.
Jones strikes at the death
The hosts should have sealed victory in the 92nd minute when substitute Ragnar Ache and Florian Kainz were denied by two magnificent Vasilj saves. Those stops ultimately proved decisive as Pauli mounted one final attack.
Danel Sinani's floated cross from the halfway line was met by Jones, but goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe slipped while attempting to reach the looping effort as the ball nestled inside the post. The dramatic equaliser sparked wild celebrations from the visitors, who secured a dramatic point to end a run of nine consecutive top-flight defeats.
Man of the Match: El Mala
Despite the agonising late twist, El Mala was the standout performer at the RheinEnergieSTADION. His explosive pace and clinical finishing were epitomised by his 51st-minute strike, when he left his pursuers trailing in his wake before calmly slotting past Vasilj.
It marked his sixth goal of the season, confirming his status as both Cologne's outright top scorer in the league and the Bundesliga's most prolific teenager in front of goal.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Cologne 1.9 - St. Pauli 0.2
Fastest player: Sebastian Sebulonsen (Cologne), 34.51 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Ricky-Jade Jones (St. Pauli), 1.94 per cent
Most pressed player: Luca Waldschmidt (Cologne), 17 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Louis Oppie (St. Pauli), 2.51
Fantasy Heroes: Nikola Vasilj (St. Pauli, 264 Points), Saïd El Mala (Cologne, 183 Points), Eric Smith (St. Pauli, 162 Points)
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