Ekkelenkamp on target as Hertha win in Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Hertha Berlin
Goals: 0-1 Richter (assist: Darida) 7’, 0-2 Ekkelenkamp (assist: Mittelstädt) 63’, 1-2 Paciencia (pen.) 78’

Only one place and two points separated Frankfurt and Hertha ahead of Matchday 8, and it was the lower-ranked visitors who impressed throughout the first half. It took them only seven minutes to take the lead when Vladimir Darida delivered a cross from deep on the left and Richter flicked a header in off the far post. Richter then almost turned provider with a cross of his own, but Krzysztof Piatek – making his first start of the season – put his header straight at Kevin Trapp. The Polish striker had another great chance to double the lead when one-on-one after a poor clearance was put back into the box, but he failed to hit the target from close range. The only Eintracht chance of any note came from Kristijan Jakic latching onto a corner played to the edge of the box. His effort took a deflection off Dedryck Boyata, but Alexander Schwolow showed good quick reactions to parry behind.

Frankfurt reacted with a double change at the break and they looked a different side in the second half, forcing Hertha back on the edge of their own box. Djibril Sow had a good chance when he ran onto the end of Filip Kostic’s cross, but volleyed over. The Berliners weathered the storm, though, and struck with their first effort of the second period when substitute Ekkelenkamp turned in Maximilian Mittelstädt’s low ball to the far post with his first touch after coming on. Frankfurt huffed and puffed, earning a lifeline when Goncalo Paciencia drilled home a penalty after Schwolow caught Rafael Borre in the box, but ultimately to no avail as they failed to build on their win at Bayern Munich in the previous game. Instead, Hertha leapfrog their opponents in the table with only their third victory of the campaign.

• Richter’s goal was his first in Hertha colours.
• It was also the first time this season Frankfurt had conceded from a cross and also from a header.
• Ekkelenkamp has two Bundesliga goals from only three shots.
• Hertha have scored a league-high seven goals through summer signings. Eintracht are next in that regard with four.
• Frankfurt’s unbeaten run at home in the league came to an end after 22 matches.
• Eintracht have scored their last 18 penalties in the Bundesliga – a club record. Paciencia's Bundesliga record is two from two.

Watch: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp happy with haul

Frankfurt: Trapp - Hinteregger, Hasebe (c), N'Dicka – Chandler (Toure 46’), Sow, Jakic (Paciencia 69’), Kostic - Hauge, Lammers (Borre 60’), Lindström (Kamada 46’)
Unused subs: Ramaj, Ilsanker, Hrustic, Tuta, Durm
Out: Barkok (knee), Lenz (thigh), Rode (match fitness), Younes (not included)
Coach: Oliver Glasner

Hertha: Schwolow - Pekarik, Boyata (c), Stark, Plattenhardt - Ascacibar, Darida (Boateng 83’) – Richter (Belfodil 61’), Serdar, Mittelstädt (Jastrzembski 73’) - Piatek (Ekkelenkamp 61’)
Unused subs: Christensen, Selke, Maolida, Jovetic, Morgenstern
Out: M. Dardai (thigh), Gechter (groin), Jarstein (knee), Klünter (shoulder), Torunarigha (thigh), Zeefuik (groin)
Coach: Pal Dardai