Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt got back to winning ways with a solid display in the German capital where goals from Ansgar Knauff, Tuta, Jesper Lindstrom and Rafael Borré helped to heap more misery on Hertha Berlin.
Hertha Berlin 1-4 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Knauff 17' (assist: Kostic), 0-2 Tuta 48' (assist: N'Dicka), 0-3 Lindstrom (56'), 1-3 Selke (61'), 1-4 Borre 63' (assist: Kamada)
With both teams desperate to reverse a run of poor form that had seem them lose their previous three games respectively, the encounter at the Olympiastadion had a distinct air of 'must win' from the off. Flying earlier in the campaign, Eintracht had faltered since the turn of the year but an impressive showing in last week's narrow loss against champions Bayern Munich gave the Eagles a confidence boost as they arrived in the German capital. Lindstrom almost capped a fine Frankfurt opening to the encounter when, accepting a pass from Borré, the Dane raced through on goal only to show Marcel Lotka just enough of the ball for the keeper to save. Oliver Glasner's men did not let up and it was of little surprise when Die Adler took the lead shortly afterwards, Knauff leaning in to Filip Kostic's inviting cross before sending a brilliantly looping header over Lotka. Hertha's top scorer, Stevan Jovetic, looked to rally his teammates but the Montenegrin forward was off target with a couple of presentable chances before the end of the half.
If coach Tayfun Korkut cut a worried figure going into the break, the Hertha tactician's concerns deepened soon after the restart with his team finding themselves further behind. Buoyed by his first goal in Eintracht colours, Knauff was involved in his side's second, sending a cross to the far post where Evan N'Dicka nodded back across the face to provide Tuta with a simple finish. Already in dangerous territory sitting in the Bundesliga relegation play-off spot after their worst Rückrunde run in 16 years, the capital side's hopes of gaining something from this Matchday 25 encounter were all but extinguished prior to the hour mark when Lindstrom expertly punished Lotka with a lofted finish after the goalkeeper had raced from his area to clear. Davie Selke offered some home cheer with a volleyed goal but Eintracht - who had failed to score in any of their three previous matches - weren't finished yet as Borre rounded off a fine counter-attack by scoring his first goal since early January.
Watch: Trapp on Frankfurt's training paying off
Hertha: Lotka - Pekarik, Boyata (c), Kempf, Mittelstädt - Richter (Belfodil 56'), Darida (Selke 56'), Tousart, Serdar - Lee (Boateng 56') - Jovetic
Unused subs: Christensen, Stark, Maolida, Ascacibar, Plattenhardt, Gechter
Out: Dardai (ankle), Jarstein (knee), Schwolow (not included)
Coach: Tayfun Korkut
Frankfurt: Trapp (c) - Tuta, Hinteregger, N'Dicka - Knauff (Chandler 83'), Sow (Ilsanker 88'), Jakic, Kostic - Lindstrom (Hauge 73'), Kamada (Hrustic 83') - Borre (Lammers 72')
Unused subs: Grahl, Toure, Hasebe, Paciencia
Out: Ache (hamstring), Lenz (suspended), Ramaj (knee), Rode (abdominals)
Coach: Oliver Glasner