El Mala strike gives Cologne 2-1 Rhine derby win, spoiling Blessin's Gladbach debut

FC Cologne beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 in the Rhine derby on Sunday. Isak Johannesson put the hosts ahead with a volley in the 26th minute, Joe Scally equalised for Gladbach in the 39th, and Said El Mala scored the winner in the 67th.

The defeat spoiled coach Alexander Blessin's debut for Gladbach, who went into the round without a point. Cologne had four points from four games before the derby. Cologne midfielder Ellyes Skhiri was carried off on a stretcher shortly before halftime; there was no official diagnosis at first.

The match was overshadowed by pyrotechnics and clashes in the stands. According to the German news agency dpa, fans fought in the upper tier of the Gladbach section after the 2-1, and flares were also thrown towards Cologne supporters. Referee Florian Badstuebner briefly stopped play.