Anthony Modeste scored one and set up another for Dejan Ljubicic as Cologne took derby bragging rights and three precious points in their quest for European football next season with a 3-1 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Gladbach 1-3 Cologne
Goals: 0-1 Modeste (assist: Kainz) 5', 0-2 Kainz (assist: Uth) 20', 0-3 Ljubicic (assist: Modeste) 35', 1-3 Embolo (assist: Hofmann) 85'

After Gladbach failed to show why they are the league's most dangerous side from corners, Cologne swept up the other end of the field and a low cross from Florian Kainz was turned in in typical predatory fashion by Modeste to give the Billy Goats an early lead. Another smooth, sweeping Cologne attack brought the second, with Mark Uth this time cutting the ball back for Kainz to hammer home. Jonas Hofmann tried to get Gladbach back in the game when he cut through two Cologne defenders and dinked an effort just wide of the far post, but Cologne were ruthlessly effective with their chances and grabbed a third before the break with Ljubicic left in acres of space to receive Modeste's pass and pick his spot beyond Yann Sommer.

Cologne stuck to their gameplan in the second half and almost struck a fourth when Modeste let a cross through to Ljubicic, who missed the target after being given time and space to settle to shoot. As in the first half, it was Hofmann who came the closest to registering a goal for Gladbach, getting even closer to the far post with Marvin Schwäbe again beaten. Modeste tried to add a fourth with a spectacular scissor-kick which was too close to Sommer, and Cologne continued to pose a threat having muted the home fans, who nevertheless had something to cheer about when Breel Embolo raced onto Hofmann's long ball and slotted a consolatory strike past Schwäbe. It was too little, too late for the Foals to salvage anything from the game though, leaving Cologne to celebrate a win which keeps them right in the thick of the race for Europe next season, while all but ending Gladbach's hopes.

Match stats

• Modeste scored the opening goal of the game for the eighth time this season, which is as often as Robert Lewandowski and more frequently than any other player.
• The Frenchman has four goals in eight games for Cologne against Gladbach.
• Ljubicic scored his second goal against Gladbach this season, having opened his Bundesliga account in the reverse fixture.
• Cologne led their local rivals by three goals at half-time for the first time ever.
• The Foals' longest unbeaten run under Hütter (four games: W3, D1) came to an end.
• Although Cologne have now won the last three derbies, they have more Bundesliga losses against Gladbach (51) than any other opponent.

Watch: Ljubicic: "Our aim is to climb the table"

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Line-ups

Gladbach: Sommer (c) - Ginter (Scally 38'), Elvedi, Beyer - Lainer (Netz 46'), Neuhaus (Kramer 46'), Kone (Benes 71', Stindl 75'), Bensebaini - Hofmann, Embolo - Plea
Unused subs: Sippel, Herrmann, Jantschke, Noß
Out: Friedrich (match fitness), Thuram (muscular)
Coach: Adi Hütter

Cologne: Schwäbe - Ehizibue (Schmitz 80'), Kilian, Hübers, Hector (c) - Skhiri, Özcan - Ljubicic (Schaub 80'), Uth (Duda 80'), Kainz (Thielmann 61') - Modeste
Unused subs: T. Horn, J. Horn, Chabot, Lemperle, Olesen
Out: Andersson (not included), Schindler (personal reasons)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Watch: Scally: "I don't have any words"

About the clubs

1. FC Köln

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Borussia Mönchengladbach

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