Eintracht Frankfurt claim impressive win over Hamburg as Niko Iličević makes Bundesliga history
Eintracht Frankfurt stepped up after an even first half to claim a win at home to Hamburg in an entertaining Bundesliga clash that saw Niko Iličević become the joint-youngest player in Bundesliga history as a late substitute.
Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 HamburgGoals: 1-0 Omari 10' (o.g.), 1-1 Moffi 14' (assist: Grønbæk), 2-1 Onyedika 47', 3-1 Ebnoutalib 69' (assist: Uzun)
Frankfurt made four changes to the side that had beaten Hamburg in the DFB Cup days earlier, while the visitors also made alterations to their line-up. Young Niko Iličević was named among the substitutes for the hosts a day after turning 16.
Frankfurt's flying start
The hosts set the early tone, with Can Uzun drawing a smart save and Younes Ebnoutalib forcing a reflex stop from Daniel Heuer Fernandes.
In the tenth minute, Uzun threaded Farès Chaïbi through, whose low cross was turned into his own net by Warmed Omari for 1-0.
Hamburg struck straight back four minutes later as Albert Grønbæk laid the ball across for Terem Moffi to tap in from close range, levelling at 1-1, a score that held into the break despite a late header from Robin Koch being well saved.
Onyedika and Ebnoutalib seal it
Frankfurt struck again almost immediately after the restart: a corner from Chaïbi was headed goalward by Lilian Brassier, Heuer Fernandes could only parry it, and Raphael Onyedika bundled in from close range for his first competitive goal for the club.
A goal from Chaïbi was later ruled out for offside against Ansgar Knauff. In the 69th minute, Uzun raced through midfield and slipped a pass to Ebnoutalib, who finished calmly to make it 3-1.
Hamburg pushed late, with Omari striking the crossbar and Otto Stange forcing a save from Noah Atubolu, but the score stayed the same until the final whistle.
Player of the Match: Daniel Heuer Fernandes
Despite conceding three times, Daniel Heuer Fernandes was voted Player of the Match with 37 percent of the vote.
The goalkeeper made several key saves across the ninety minutes, including a sharp reflex stop on Ebnoutalib in the opening minutes and late denials in stoppage time, keeping Hamburg in the contest throughout a game in which Frankfurt had ten shots on target.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Frankfurt 2.52 - Hamburg 1.70
Fastest player: Shafiq Nandja (Hamburg), 34.19 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-1 by Terem Moffi (Hamburg), 63 percent
Pass efficiency: Can Uzun (Frankfurt), +2.61
Fantasy Heroes: Can Uzun (Frankfurt, 220 Points), Raphael Onyedika (Frankfurt, 215 Points), Farès Chaïbi (Frankfurt, 188 Points)
