31.01.2021 17:55 h

Cologne beat fellow Bundesliga strugglers Bielefeld

Cologne earned their first home league win for 11 months to climb out of the Bundesliga's relegation play-off spot on Sunday with a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Arminia Bielefeld.

Cologne are up to 14th after ending their miserable home run, while Bielefeld drop to 16th.

On-loan Borussia Dortmund winger Marius Wolf gave Cologne an early lead with a simple tap-in, then smashed a volley just inside the post before half-time.

Midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj added a third when he was left unmarked as Bielefeld struggled to reorganise after a double substitution.

Venezuela forward Sergio Cordova came off the bench to claim a consolation goal for Bielefeld with an easy finish after a mix-up in the home defence.

Max Meyer, who captained Germany to the silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, came on for his Cologne debut just before the final whistle, having signed in midweek after his Crystal Palace contract was cancelled.

At the other end of the table, leaders Bayern Munich maintained their seven-point lead on Saturday with a 4-1 home win against Hoffenheim.

Second-placed RB Leipzig edged to a 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.