BERLIN, Dec. 22-- Fortuna Dusseldorf snatched vital points after beating Union Berlin 2-1, while bottom side Paderborn extended Eintracht Frankfurt's losing run to three games following a 2-1 win in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Erik Thommy's late hammer secured Dusseldorf a much-needed victory over Union to ease their relegation worries after moving up to the relegation play-off spot in 16th place, two points from outright safety. Fortuna start the match the better start of the two sides, as Dawid Kownacki had the first two chances of the game. Union were lacking in penetration but slowly gained a foothold into the match as the game progressed. However, it was the hosts who were rewarded for their efforts and opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Oliver Fink flicked on a goal kick, allowing Rouwen Hennings to unleash a hammer from a sharp angle into the top left corner. The visitors from the capital responded and restored parity early in the second half, after Michael Parensen tapped home a rebound from close range following a corner. Union gained momentum and created promising chances but the deciding goal was scored at the other end, when Thommy's long-range effort glanced off the post and flew past Union custodian Rafal Gikiewicz to seal the game in the dying seconds. With their last-gasp win, Fortuna Dusseldorf climb to 16th, while Union Berlin remain in 11th position despite recording their ninth defeat of the season. |