Bundesliga Matchday 17 in pictures
The weekend kicked off with Borussia Mönchengladbach's fast start against Hamburg. The Foals put pressure on the rest of the chasing pack with that win while Cologne finally got off the mark ahead of the winter break.
Cologne win one! It must be Christmas
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Cologne carved out a victory at home to double their points tally for the season so far. They're still rock bottom on six points after 17 games, but they've at least reduced the gap to 17th-placed Hamburg to nine points.
Brilliant Bailey
Leon Bailey continued his fine form away against Hannover. The Jamaican came off the bench at halftime to score two and turn the game around in Leverkusen's favor, displaying all of his speed and skill in the process.
Welcome back!
Davie Selke was a key player for RB Leipzig in their promotion push to the Bundesliga, but he has been in the capital since the summer. In the final Bundesliga game of 2017, it only took Selke five minutes to score against his former team. A neatly taken goal in the box was followed by a defiant celebration.
Ulreich to the rescue at his old club
Stuttgart fought resiliently at home to Bayern Munich, keeping the match level for most of the night. Thomas Müller found the net late, and in the dying seconds Sven Ulreich saved a Stuttgart penalty to secure all three points for the league leaders. They will take a lead of at least 10 points into the winter break.
Pulisic pounces to deny Hoffenheim
Peter Stöger's first home win for Dortmund came right at the death. Hoffenheim had taken an early lead, and dominated much of the first half. But Dortmund were always a threat on the break, playing a more direct game. Aubameyang tied it up from the spot and Pulisic kept his cool when a golden chance came his way with just seconds remaining.
Hat trick hero Finnbogason
Christian Streich and Freiburg must have thought they had this one in the bag. Despite Alfred Finnbogason's early goal, the visitors turned the tables to lead 3-1. But the striker from Iceland refused to lie down, heading home two stoppage time goals to earn himself the match ball and to earn his side a point. Nils Petersen netted two for Freiburg, he scored six this week.
Werder punish Mainz early, to no avail
Philipp Bargfrede opened the floodgates seconds after kickoff and Werder Bremen seemed to be on the right path, doubling their money to lead 2-0 by half time. Yet Mainz improved in the second half, ultimately pulling a point out of the fire in stoppage time.
Frankfurt lose two-goal home lead
Frankfurt's poor home form continues, even though they seemed to be in control for most of the match against Schalke. Luka Jovic (l.) had kicked things off after around 80 seconds and Sebastien Haller back-heeled another one home in the second half, only for Schalke to pull two back in the last 20 minutes.
Hahn hits his old club, but Gladbach triumph
In Mönchengladbach, Andre Hahn gave the home fans a real scare when he pulled Hamburg level early in the second half. But HSV were no match for the Foals over the 90 minutes. After Thorgan Hazard's opener, Brazilian Raffael rifled home a late brace to settle the score — 3-1 for Dieter Hecking's crew.