Hertha BSC Berlin missed out on their best-ever season start in the Bundesliga, despite a strong performance.
Lucien Favre's side were held 1-1 (1-1) by Arminia Bielefeld, denying them their first ever two-win start to a campaign in the top-flight.
Marco Pantelic fired Hertha in front in the 32nd minute, but Artur Wichniarek's equaliser just five minutes later spoiled the party for the home side. The result leaves Arminia still seeking their first win in the capital since October 1978.
Hertha dominant
The hosts hit the ground running in front of a 40,000 crowd, with Cicero (4.), Gojko Cacar (7.) and Cicero again (24.) going close early on. Just over half an hour in, their attacking efforts were rewarded when Patrick Ebert won the ball in midfield and fed Pantelic, who beat Bielefeld keeper Dennis Eilhoff with a beautifully-judged lob.
At this stage, the only way Bielfeld looked like getting back into the game was by way of a gift from Hertha, and that duly happened five minutes later. A misplaced ball from new central defender Kaka fell directly to Wichniarek, who gratefully rounded home keeper Jaroslav Drobny and slotted home the equaliser from a tight angle.
Bielefeld hold firm
Hertha, with captain Arne Friedrich back after injury, recovered quickly and were soon in control of proceedings again. Three minutes after the restart, Eilhoff pulled off a great save from a ferocious shot by Raffael.
The visitors concentrated their efforts on keeping it tight at the back and relieving the pressure with the odd harmless counter-attack. And at the end of the day, they had a point in the bag to show for it.
Hertha move up to second
Hertha on a roll
Easy win for Hertha