Edin Terzic praised his team's defensive fortitude after Borussia Dortmund equalled a club record by securing an eighth consecutive Bundesliga victory with a 2-1 win over title rivals RB Leipzig, and a 10th overall.
Dortmund headed into Friday's game second to Bayern Munich only on goal difference after an imperious run of form since the return of domestic football following the Qatar World Cup.
Meanwhile, Leipzig, led by former Dortmund boss Marco Rose, were four points off top spot themselves and looking to move within striking distance of the top two.
After Julian Brandt had seen a goal ruled out for offside for the hosts, captain Marco Reus scored from the spot after being felled by Leipzig goalkeeper Janis Blaswich to put Dortmund ahead and move into second on the club's all-time goalscoring list.
Emre Can then saw a shot from the edge of the box somehow find its way in to give his team a commanding 2-0 lead at the break.
Leipzig improved after the break though and halved the deficit when Emil Forsberg slid in to turn David Raum's cross into the net, setting up a grandstand finish.
Rose's men piled on the pressure, and an incredible goal-saving block was needed from Nico Schlotterbeck to deny Timo Werner's powerful goal-bound effort in the dying seconds as Dortmund saw the game out for three points to move top, with Bayern not playing until Saturday when they face Stuttgart.
Terzic was delighted after watching his team's last-ditch defending pay off, telling DAZN: "That was an absolutely top game, we're very happy.
"We played very well in the first half, in the second half we defended passionately. We saved it over the line, it wasn't easy to score a goal against us today."
Reus was relieved to pick up a 10th straight win in all competitions despite Dortmund's low-key second-half display, saying: "In the second half we didn't manage to keep the ball, to get more solutions, that wasn't so good anymore.
"But we're very happy to have won the 10th competitive game in a row. In the end, I'd rather win than play well and lose. It's all about hard work, we've shown that in the past few weeks and today."
Rose was frustrated by the loss after a much-improved performance in the second half, explaining: "The result is difficult to accept, the second half clearly went to us.
"Dortmund were very efficient. It was a decent game from us at the back, I didn't feel like we were clearly inferior. Over 90 minutes, it's hard to accept losing a game like that."
England suffer last-gasp loss on Sarina Wiegman’s Netherlands return
England boss Sarina Wiegman’s return to the Netherlands ended in defeat as Dutch substitute Renate Jansen’s superb late strike saw the Lionesses beaten 2-1 in their second Nations League group game.
Jansen rifled past Mary Earps in the 90th minute in Utrecht after Lieke Martens’ contentious first-half opener, which would likely have been ruled out had VAR been in operation, was cancelled out by Alessia Russo’s 64th-minute finish.
Both teams hit the woodwork late in the first half, Rachel Daly for the visitors and Linda Beerensteyn for the hosts.
Netherlands goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar then made an excellent save to deny Lauren Hemp before Russo brought things level, but it was Jansen who had the final say on what proved a disappointing occasion for Wiegman in the battle between her current and former employers, both of whom she has guided to Euros glory and a World Cup final.
The result – only a third loss for England under Wiegman – leaves both the Lionesses and Andries Jonker’s Netherlands on three points in Group A1.
Sheffield United postpone Women’s Championship game after death of Maddy Cusack
Sheffield United’s FA Women’s Championship fixture against Crystal Palace, scheduled for this Saturday, has been postponed following the death of Maddy Cusack.
The 27-year-old, who had made over 100 appearances and also worked for the club as a marketing executive, died last Wednesday.
United said on social media: “Our @BarclaysWC fixture at Crystal Palace, scheduled for Saturday 30th September, has been postponed.
“The Blades asked for the game to be postponed following the recent devastating news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.
“A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.”
The club paid tribute to Cusack before the men’s team’s Premier League game against Newcastle on Sunday, with players wearing shirts bearing her name and number and a minute’s silence held in her honour.
In a statement of their own, Palace said: “The thoughts and condolences of everybody at the club are with Maddy’s friends, family, team-mates and colleagues.”
Darren Moore merrier for Huddersfield’s late goal and battling spirit
New Huddersfield boss Darren Moore was impressed by his side’s spirit after they came from behind to draw 1-1 at Coventry.
Michal Helik’s dramatic added-time qualiser cancelled out Yasin Ayari’s opener and ensured Moore’s managerial return did not end in a Sky Bet Championship defeat.
“It’s been an incredible few days getting into the club and working with the boys,” said Moore, who left Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.
“They have taken a lot of information on over the past couple of days. The fighting spirit was incredible and they got their just rewards and something out of the game at the end.
“I’m really pleased with the boys and their second-half performance. I’ve seen enough there and there’s enough quality in the team to get more out of the players and I’ll look forward to working with the boys over the next couple of weeks.
“Once we grew into the game we had to throw caution to the wind and change things up. I thought the boys did that themselves by the way they controlled large parts of the second half and gave themselves confidence.
“Come the end we had to go all out to try and get something out of the game and I’m pleased we fashioned a really good chance and took it.”
The 49-year-old continued: “I’m pleased for the travelling away support that they’ve gone back up north with something to get hold of – and hopefully (there are) encouraging signs from the team.
“I’m looking forward to my first home game in charge against Ipswich. I’m looking forward to being back in front of the home fans.”
Mark Robins was frustrated after seeing his side – play-off finalists last season – concede late for a third successive game.
It means they have dropped nine points from winning positions, the most in the Championship, this season.
Robins said: “It’s so frustrating but you have to dust yourselves down and get on with it.
“We could have won every game we’ve played in, but we’re sitting here talking about eight points in eight games. It will turn around, but it’s painful getting there.
“It [conceding late] can start to become a thing. It’s about taking control of those situations.
“I think if you let your heart rule your head at times because you know that’s been the case and you know we’re within touching distance of winning the game, the game can kick you in the teeth if you make mistakes.
“They had bodies and a weight of numbers in their favour, but we have to do better. The defending wasn’t good enough.
“You can’t get that momentum if you lose some of your players. It’s not an excuse. We’ve got a small squad with some key individuals out. It’s going to take some time.”
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