Ujah and Osako lead Köln to first win of the season
Stuttgart - 1. FC Köln picked up their first Bundesliga win in over two years thanks to a 2-0 success over VfB Stuttgart in the Mercedes-Benz-Arena.
Ujah doubles the lead
Köln arrived not having lost in Stuttgart since 1997 and looking to make their happy hunting ground the venue for their first top-flight win after a two year hiatus. They began aggressively and Stuttgart full-back Gotoku Sakai was forced to clear off the line after only seven minutes as Anthony Ujah met a Daniel Halfar corner. Halfar turned provider in the 24th minute when his flicked header could only be parried by Sven Ulreich in the Stuttgart goal, and Yuya Osako was on hand to turn in the rebound at the back post.
Ujah made it two ten minutes later, capitalising on Antonio Rüdiger's weak defensive header to double the visitors' lead. He rode a challenge before arrowing a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner of Ulreich's goal, and although Stuttgart began to exert some control before the break through Oriol Romeu and Christian Gentner, the Billy Goats went into the dressing room two goals to the good.
It remained that way in the second-half, despite increasing pressure from the hosts. Vedad Ibisevic dropped deeper and deeper, linking up well with Alexandru Maxim and Daniel Didavi in attacking midfield, and although Stuttgart enjoyed nearly 65 per cent of possession, the Köln defence stood firm, allowing only the odd shot from distance from Gentner. The three points made it the visitors' best start to a season for nine years, while Stuttgart are left questioning how to beat Köln on home soil.
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