Frankfurt edge five-goal thriller as Gladbach struggles continue

Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 1-0 Neuhaus 6’ (assist: Scally), 1-1 Borre 45+1' (assist: Lindstrom), 1-2 Lindstrom 50' (assist: Ndicka), 2-2 Bensebaini 54' (pen.), 2-3 Kamada (assist: Borre)
Red card: Tuta (70')

Despite going into the game on the back of three heavy defeats in succession, Gladbach flew out the traps and were in front after just six minutes. Luca Netz’s cross from the left was perfectly cushioned into the path of Florian Neuhaus by the head of American teenager Joe Scally, allowing Neuhaus to arrow home. It gave Adi Hütter’s side the perfect start against his old club in an open first half that teed up a hugely entertaining encounter. Filip Kostic's wand of a left-foot was Frankfurt's biggest threat in attack early on and his battle with Scally made for compelling viewing, but it was from the opposite flank that Frankfurt levelled on the stroke of half time. Denis Zakaria was robbed in possession by substitute Sebastian Rode, who found Jesper Lindstrom, and whose cross was tapped into an empty net from barely two yards by Rafael Santos Borre.

Shortly after the interval, Frankfurt were then ahead. This time the threat did come from their left after Evan Ndicka bombed on the overlap and cut the ball back for Lindstrom to lash home. The visitors' lead lasted less than five minutes, though, as Kouadio Kone was brought down in the box and Ramy Bensebaini kept his cool to make it 2-2 from the penalty spot. Not to be outdone, Frankfurt almost immediately raced down the other end to restore their advantage thanks to Daichi Kamada's strike that made it three goals inside the first 10 minutes of the second period. The drama didn't stop there and Frankfurt were forced to play the final 20 minutes with 10-men after Brazilian defender Tuta was shown a second yellow card of the night. Frankfurt held on, though, and picked up a fifth win from their last six top-flight matches, while Gladbach suffered a fourth defeat on the spin.

• Bensabaini has a perfect record from 12 yards for Gladbach, scoring six out of six in all competitions and converting all four penalties of his Bundesliga career thus far.
• There has been four or more goals in all five previous Bundesliga meetings between these two sides. There have been 25 in total, at an average of five goals per game.
• This result ended both Gladbach's six-game unbeaten run against Frankfurt (W4, D2) and three-match winning streak at Borussia Park against Die Adler.
• Scally’s assist for Neuhaus’ opener was the right-back’s third provision of the campaign.
• That goal was the first of Neuhaus’ career against Frankfurt, while the 24-year-old midfielder has now scored in three of his last four Bundesliga appearances.
• Frankfurt substitute Makoto Hasebe (37) is older than the combined age of Gladbach’s 18-year-old full-backs Netz and Scally (36).

Watch: Kevin Trapp on 'deserved' Frankfurt win

Gladbach: Sommer (c) - Ginter, Zakaria, Bensebaini - Scally (Herrmann 76'), Neuhaus (Kramer 64'), Kone, Netz (Bennetts 89') - Benes (Thuram 64') - Plea, Embolo
Unused subs: Sippel, Wolf, Lainer, Müsel, Gaal
Out: Beyer (thigh), Elvedi (unconfirmed), Hofmann (thigh), Stindl (suspended)
Coach: Adi Hütter

Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Hinteregger (c), N’Dicka – Da Costa, Jakic (Rode 28'), Sow (Lenz 83'), Kostic – Lindstrom (Barkok 83'), Kamada – Borre (Hasebe 73')
Unused subs: Ramaj, Lammers, Toure, Chandler, Paciencia
Out: Hauge (muscular), Ilsanker (not included)
Coach: Oliver Glasner

Watch: Joe Scally bemoans 'lack of concentration'