Bundesliga Matchday 14: Leverkusen win Rhein derby as St. Pauli end 11-game winless run

Bayer Leverkusen claimed the Rhein derby 2-0 against Köln, while 10-man St. Pauli secured a crucial victory over Heidenheim. Hamburg's return to the top flight hit another bump with a 4-1 thrashing at Hoffenheim.

Bundesliga Matchday 14 delivered drama across Germany on Saturday, with Bayer Leverkusen bouncing back to form in the Rhein derby, St. Pauli ending their miserable run despite a red card, and Hamburg suffering another setback in their return to the top flight.

Leverkusen restore pride in Rhein derby

Bayer Leverkusen returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over 1. FC Köln at the BayArena, bouncing back from consecutive defeats against Borussia Dortmund and Augsburg. Martin Terrier, introduced as a substitute in the 62nd minute, needed just four minutes to break the deadlock with a spectacular backheel finish after Arthur's through ball. Robert Andrich doubled the lead six minutes later, heading home from an Aleix García corner.

The derby was overshadowed by a fan boycott, with 500-600 Köln supporters from the active fan scene leaving before kick-off following reports of intrusive security checks at the stadium. Leverkusen's own ultras rolled up their banners and left the stands in solidarity.

Marvin Schwäbe kept Köln in the game during a dominant first half from Leverkusen, denying Malik Tillman and Jonas Hofmann. The victory sees Kasper Hjulmand's side maintain their position in the top four.

Kaars' heroics rescue St. Pauli

In the day's most dramatic encounter, St. Pauli ended an 11-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Heidenheim despite playing the entire second half with ten men. Martijn Kaars scored both goals for the hosts, his first Bundesliga strikes since joining from Magdeburg.

Kaars opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a thunderous strike from Joel Chima Fujita's assist, the ball flying into the net at 106 km/h. Disaster struck just before half-time when Eric Smith was shown a straight red card for a last-man foul on Marvin Pieringer.

Remarkably, St. Pauli extended their lead eight minutes into the second half. Kaars finished another counter-attack orchestrated by Fujita, rounding off a clinical move. Pieringer pulled one back for Heidenheim in the 64th minute, and Nikola Vasilj made a crucial late save to preserve the victory.

The result sees St. Pauli climb to 16th on 11 points, leapfrogging the now 17th-placed Heidenheim on goal difference.

Hoffenheim crush Hamburg in top-flight reunion

Hamburg's long-awaited return to the Bundesliga after seven years hit another bump as they were dismantled 4-1 by Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena. Grischa Prömel, Ozan Kabak, Tim Lemperle and Fisnik Asllani all found the net for the hosts, who continue their impressive season.

Rayan Philippe grabbed a consolation for Hamburg but then fired a late penalty over the bar, summing up a miserable afternoon for Merlin Polzin's side. Hoffenheim remain in fourth place with their strong form continuing.

Wolfsburg continue revival at Gladbach

VfL Wolfsburg ended Borussia Mönchengladbach's five-game unbeaten run with a convincing 3-1 away victory. Patrick Wimmer scored twice, with Christian Eriksen providing two assists as caretaker coach Daniel Bauer continues to steady the ship in Wolfsburg.

Haris Tabakovic scored for Gladbach, but they couldn't find a way back into the game. The result gives Wolfsburg seven points from three games under Bauer.

Friday: Union Berlin shock Leipzig

The matchday began on Friday with Union Berlin stunning second-placed RB Leipzig 3-1. Oliver Burke, Ilyas Ansah and Tim Skarke all scored in a frantic seven-minute spell in the second half, with Tidiam Gomis' equaliser sandwiched in between.

The defeat is a significant blow to Leipzig's title aspirations. They remain on 29 points but could see Bayern Munich extend their lead when they host Mainz on Sunday.

Sunday fixtures

The matchday concludes on Sunday with three fixtures: Freiburg face Werder Bremen at the Europa-Park Stadion, Borussia Dortmund host Stuttgart in what promises to be an entertaining clash, and Bayern Munich welcome Mainz to the Allianz Arena looking to extend their remarkable unbeaten run.

Vincent Kompany's side have been imperious this season, breaking AC Milan's record for the best start in Europe's top five leagues with 16 consecutive victories before finally drawing a match. Harry Kane continues to lead the scoring charts.