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Ten-man Borussia Dortmund regained fourth spot Saturday with a 2-1 win at Werder Bremen, headlined by Jadon Sancho's first goal since returning to Germany.
Sancho's side had fallen to fifth earlier in the day when RB Leipzig beat Darmstadt 2-0 at home.
An acrobatic strike from Donyell Malen and a trademark solo effort from Sancho - the Manchester United loanee's first in Dortmund colours since May 2021 - had the visitors cruising.
Dortmund were, however, reduced to 10 men just before half-time when Marcel Sabitzer saw red for sinking his studs into Mitchell Weiser's calf.
Dortmund manager Edin Terzic pulled Malen, who has five goals in his past four games, in favour of Mats Hummels at the break, but the veteran defender was at fault when Bremen's Justin Njinmah scored with 20 minutes remaining.
Despite some nervy final moments, Dortmund held on to stay one point clear of Leipzig in fourth, the final guaranteed Champions League spot for next season.
"We played almost as well as you can at the start. The lads did an incredible job" said Dortmund striker Niclas Fullkrug, who left Bremen in the summer having come through the club's junior system.
Earlier on Saturday, Leipzig beat Darmstadt to rebound from a frustrating Champions League last-16 exit to Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Leipzig forced struggling Darmstadt into an own goal from Thomas Isherwood after three minutes.
Marco Rose's men added another through Christoph Baumgartner early in the second half to seal the win as they continue their push for a top-four spot.
"We're looking only at ourselves," said sporting director Rouven Schroeder of their top-four bid. "When we win our games, we'll qualify for the Champions League."
Third-last Koln drew 3-3 at derby rivals Borussia Monchengladbach, having led twice in a feisty encounter.
Koln led for over an hour but were forced to come from behind late in the game when Robin Hack scored two goals in three minutes to give the home side the lead.
Damion Downs levelled the scores with 11 minutes remaining, but Koln will finish the round in 16th, the relegation playoff spot, seven points from safety.
