Borussia Dortmund have taken temporary charge of top spot in the Bundesliga following a 2-1 win over Cologne.
Sahin's late strike takes Jurgen Klopp's side to top spot
Borussia Dortmund have taken temporary charge of top spot in the Bundesliga following a 2-1 victory over Cologne.
A heated local derby went right down to the wire before Nuri Sahin snatched a dramatic injury-time winner.
Lukas Podolski looked to have earned Cologne a point when he cancelled out Jakub Blaszczykowski's scrappy opener eight minutes from time.
However, Sahin would have the last word and his injury-time effort sees Dortmund edge above Mainz on goal difference.
The visitors could have gone ahead as early as the sixth minute when Blaszczykowski's cross found Lucas Barrios, but the Paraguay forward inexplicably headed over with the goal gaping.
Stranded
Barrios was again off target a minute later, heading wide from Lukasz Piszczek's cross.
The deadlock was then nearly broken against the run of play at the other end when Podolski's superb volley left Roman Weidenfeller stranded but came back off the crossbar, and Christian Clemens' effort on the rebound was saved.
Barrios was also denied by the woodwork in the 16th minute when his header from Sahin's flighted free-kick hit the bar, but four minutes later he played his part in the opener.
Barrios got his head to Shinji Kagawa's ball at the back post and it ended up in the net via the post and the foot of Blaszczykowski.
Japan midfielder Kagawa had a chance to double Dortmund's advantage midway through the first half but could only find the side-netting when well placed on the left of the penalty area.
Provider
Kagawa then turned provider again for Barrios to send another header wide as Dortmund had to settle for a one-goal cushion at the break.
Jurgen Klopp's side took their foot off the gas after the interval and gave their hosts hope of getting something out of the game.
Martin Lanig nodded down to Adam Matuschyk but he could only head over the bar from six yards just before the hour and, 10 minutes later, Lanig's 30-yard blast was parried to safety by Weidenfeller.
Sixteenth-placed Cologne received reward for their endeavour eight minutes from time when Mats Hummels' clearance fell to Germany striker Podolski, who produced a brilliant left-footed shot from 20 yards into the top right corner.
Dortmund were not to be denied, though, and sealed a dramatic win in added time when Sahin slotted home from 12 yards from Blaszczykowski's ball across the face of goal.
