Hoffenheim up to fifth after Frankfurt win

Hoffenheim 3-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Borre 15’ (assist: Lindstrom), 1-1 Geiger 24‘ (assist: Dabbur), 2-1 Rutter 30’, 3-1 Samassekou 59’, 3-2 Paciencia 72‘ (assist: Kostic)

Rafael Borre has a golden chance for Frankfurt to forge ahead only minutes into the game, but the Colombian misjudged his header and put wide unmarked after beating the offside trap at Filip Kostic’s free-kick. But he did get his first headed goal in the Bundesliga when he met Jesper Lindstrom’s delivery after a short corner from the left. Hoffenheim soon responded in style and with their first shot of the afternoon as Munas Dabbur laid the ball back on the edge of the box and Geiger curled a powerful effort into the far top corner from right of centre and over 20 yards out. The game was flipped on its head on the half-hour mark when Kevin Trapp failed to hold a strong strike from Ihlas Bebou, and Rutter nonchalantly gave TSG the lead on the rebound. The Frenchman almost had another moments later, but his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by compatriot Evan N’Dicka.

Having to chase the game now, the visitors came out for the second half with greater intent. Kostic was doing his thing, delivering a barrage of crosses but to no avail. One did finally find a red shirt, but perhaps not the one Frankfurt want in front of goal as Timothy Chandler put his effort straight at Oliver Baumann. Yet it was Hoffenheim who stretched their advantage when Samassekou beat Trapp at his near post. The goal was originally not given, but a VAR check determined that Bebou was onside before crossing into the middle. Eintracht were back in it after a moment of brilliance from Goncalo Paciencia, chesting down Kostic’s high cross, spinning and firing the ball into the top corner. Frankfurt had scored added-time goals in five of their last six games, but there was no late drama this time as their six-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end – and Hoffenheim moved up to fifth.

• Borre’s goal was the first with his head in the Bundesliga, having got the first two with his right foot. It was also Frankfurt’s earliest goal of the season.
• Eintracht have scored their last four goals – and five of the last seven – in the Bundesliga from crosses from open play. Kostic’s four assists from crosses is a league high.
• Rutter made it three goals in his last two games, following his brace last matchday.
• Samassekou got his second of the season, having also scored in the last home game against RB Leipzig.
• Hoffenheim ended an eight-match winless run – and six losses in a row – against Frankfurt.
• TSG made it five home wins in a row, scoring 15 and conceding just three in the process.

Watch: Paciencia: "We needed to be more aggressive"

Hoffenheim: Baumann (c) – Posch, Vogt, Richards – Akpoguma, Samassekou (Nordtveit 88'), Geiger (Stiller 54’), Raum – Bebou (Baumgartner 88'), Dabbur (Kramaric 73’), Rutter (Adamyan 73’)
Unused subs: Pentke, , Rudy, Hübner, Asllani
Out: Bicakcic (knee), Bruun Larsen (muscular), Grillitsch (illness), John (shoulder), Kaderabek (match fitness), Skov (thigh)
Coach: Sebastian Hoeneß

Frankfurt: Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe (c), N’Dicka – Chandler (Ache 83’), Sow, Jakic (Rode 68’), Kostic – Kamada (Hauge 68’), Lindstrom (Paciencia 58’) – Borre
Unused subs: Ramaj, Ilsanker, Hinteregger, Toure, Lenz
Out: Younes (not considered)
Coach: Oliver Glasner

Watch: Rutter says the team's helping him play better