Borussia Monchengladbach went third in the German Bundesliga on Sunday with a comfortable 4-1 win over Union Berlin, who are now facing a fight for top-flight survival.
Florian Neuhaus opened the scoring for the hosts with Gladbach's 3,000th goal in the Bundesliga and Marcus Thuram doubled the advantage before the break.
Union replied through Sebastian Andersson but Thuram and Alassane Plea made the points safe.
"That is naturally a nice number," Neuhaus said of his landmark goal.
"But I am much happier about the win in the battle for the Champions League."
Gladbach are third on goal difference but will slip a place should RB Leipzig win away to Cologne on Monday.
Promoted Union are 14th and just four points above the bottom three having not won in six.
Later second-placed Borussia Dortmund can move within seven points of leaders Bayern Munich with a win at bottom club Paderborn. Bayern thrashed Fortuna Dusseldorf 5-0 on Saturday.
Australian Associated Press
