COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) - Borussia Dortmund's players celebrated with relief in front of their traveling fans after securing a victory that became a nail-biter in the closing stages. At 1. FC Köln, however, the fury following the 1-2 (0-1) defeat while playing shorthanded was directed squarely at the referee. The Cologne camp was left incensed after Daniel Siebert failed to award a penalty for handball in stoppage time, despite Dortmund's Yan Couto touching the ball with an outstretched arm following a cross in his own penalty area.

"That is a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity. I have absolutely no understanding of how that isn't seen," Köln managing director Thomas Kessler told Sky. FC goalkeeper Martin Schwäbe felt similarly: "I cannot comprehend where the bar is being set." BVB managing director Lars Ricken admitted: "That certainly could have been given."

Köln coach Lukas Kwasniok, who finds himself under even greater pressure after a fifth consecutive winless match, was seen jumping frantically on the touchline after viewing the video replays. "I fully understand him being absolutely livid," said record international Lothar Matthäus in his role as a Sky expert: "A bright red card for the VAR room in Cologne!"

Red for Simpson-Pusey

For the relegation-threatened Bundesliga newcomers, Serhou Guirassy (16th minute) and Maximilian Beier (60th) provided the goals for second-placed Dortmund. The Rhinelanders saw Jamai Simpson-Pusey sent off with a straight red card (45.+2) for a serious foul in first-half stoppage time. Despite the disadvantage, Köln fought back and managed to pull one back through Jakub Kaminski (88th).

The victory allows Dortmund to maintain their six-point lead over third-placed Hoffenheim. For Köln, however, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious after five games without a win. Their two-point cushion over the relegation zone could be completely erased by Sunday. Points are now a necessity in upcoming matches against direct rivals Hamburger SV and the derby against Borussia Mönchengladbach - likely also to save Kwasniok's job.

Following the recent disappointing 0-2 loss to FC Augsburg, the Köln hierarchy had publicly backed the coach. Nevertheless, reports of a supposed ultimatum surfaced in the days leading up to the BVB clash, though Kwasniok denied them. Regardless, the 44-year-old was well aware that FC desperately needs to find a win again.

Köln shows commitment

His team did indeed start boldly, enjoying more possession early on than the second-placed visitors, who seemed to lack intensity following their 2-3 defeat in the top-of-the-table clash against FC Bayern - a result that likely ended their title hopes. BVB appeared to labor through the match rather than enjoy it. While Köln dictated the play, it was Dortmund who took the lead.

It was former FC striker Guirassy who exploited a collective lapse in the Köln defense. Following a corner, Maximilian Beier looped the ball back into the Köln box, where Guirassy reacted quickest to poke the ball past keeper Marvin Schwäbe with the sole of his boot. It was the striker's twelfth goal of the season and his seventh since the winter break.

Due to the fasting month of Ramadan, Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac had left Muslim players Guirassy and Ramy Bensebaini out of the starting lineup against Bayern. In Cologne, however, both returned to the XI from the start.

Nasty challenge from Simpson-Pusey leads to dismissal

After taking the lead, the Westphalians gradually took control of the game without ever truly shining. Köln then hindered their own cause in first-half stoppage time. Winter signing Simpson-Pusey caught Beier from behind with a heavy challenge on the Achilles tendon with no chance of winning the ball. Referee Daniel Siebert upgraded the initial yellow card to red after consulting the video monitors, much to the chagrin of the home crowd.

Down to ten men, the Rhinelanders resisted the defeat but lacked a clinical edge. Dortmund did no more than necessary to secure the points. After the hour mark, Beier broke free following a one-two with Julian Brandt and made it 2-0. Kaminski's late goal ensured a tense finish in the final minutes./lap/DP/mis