Downs keeps Cologne top with slender Schalke win | OneFootball

Damion Downs strikes as Cologne edge Schalke to keep Bundesliga 2 lead

Cologne battled hard to keep their league lead, with a fortunate first-half goal sealing the points in a game in which visitors Schalke controlled possession.

Cologne 1-0 Schalke

Cologne welcomed Schalke to the RheinEnergieStadion looking for a ninth win in 11 league fixtures to stay on top of the table. Schalke, on the other hand, were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-2 home defeat against Magdeburg in their previous fixture.

It was a hard-fought and even encounter throughout. (IMAGO/pepphoto / Sascha Weiz)

The first half was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances. The deadlock was broken just before half-time when Downs capitalised on a Schalke defensive error. Mehmet Can Aydin's attempted chest pass to goalkeeper Justin Heekeren was intercepted by Linton Maina, who quickly set up Downs for an easy finish into an empty net in the 43rd minute.

Damion Downs struck his ninth goal of the season. (IMAGO/Mika Volkmann)

The second half continued to be closely contested. Despite Schalke having more possession, Cologne managed to create more opportunities. Schalke pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, with their best chance coming in stoppage time when Tomas Kalas had a close-range header saved, and Kenan Karaman's follow-up attempt went wide.

Player of the Match: Damion Downs

Downs proved to be the difference-maker in this tightly contested affair. His goal in the 43rd minute saw him display excellent positioning to capitalise on a Schalke defensive error, slotting home into an empty net.

Bundesliga Match FactsxGoals: Cologne 1.64 - Schalke 1.11Fastest player: Linton Maina (Cologne), 35.69 km/hLowest goal probability: 1-0 by Damion Downs (Cologne), 94 percentMost pressed player: Kenan Karaman (Schalke), 22 times under pressurePass efficiency: Max Grüger (Schalke), +2.84

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