Yannick Gerhardt (c.) scored one and made another as 1. FC Köln came from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1. - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm/Bongarts
Yannick Gerhardt (c.) scored one and made another as 1. FC Köln came from behind to beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1. - © © gettyimages / Alex Grimm/Bongarts

Köln fightback downs ailing Frankfurt

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

1. FC Köln staged an impressive comeback at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday evening to post a 3-1 victory and cement their place in mid-table.

1. FC Köln 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Goals: 0-1 Meier (24’), 1-1 Gerhardt (29’), 2-1 Heintz (57’), 3-1 Modeste (72’)

Fixtures between these sides have averaged more than three goals per game over the years (Frankfurt won 6-2 on Matchday 4), so it was no surprise that there was a frenetic opening period at the RheinEnergieSTADION. Following chances at both ends, Alexander Meier broke the deadlock for Frankfurt by diverting Szabolcs Huszti’s shot into the net past a wrong-footed Timo Horn.

The visitors’ lead was short-lived, however, as Yannick Gerhardt swept in the equaliser moments later following a mix-up in the Eagles’ defence. Much of the second half was a scrappy affair, but the Billy Goats turned the match on its head when Dominque Heintz nodded in an excellent free-kick from Filip Mladenovic. Anthony Modeste then sealed the points for the Billy Goats in the closing stages, tapping in from close range from Gerhardt’s pass.

Man of the match

Gerhardt was the decisive figure for Köln, scoring a vital equaliser before Frankfurt could build any momentum and teeing up Modeste to land the knockout blow in the 72nd minute.

Talking point

Köln recorded their first win of the year and are now three games unbeaten, while Frankfurt are without a victory in their last three outings and are just one point above the relegation zone.

Match stats

    Meier has only scored two of his 12 goals away from home this season.Huszti recorded his first assist for Frankfurt in this game.Köln have now scored seven goals from headers this term; last season they managed just two.

Line-ups

Köln: Horn – Maroh, Mavraj, Heintz – Risse, Gerhardt, Hector (c), Mladenovic (Vogt 77’) – Zoller (Lehmann 13’), Modeste, Bittencourt (Sörensen 83’)

Frankfurt: Hradecky – Regäsel, Russ, Abraham, Oczipka – Hasebe (Seferovic 60’), Stendera – Aigner, Fabian (Ben-Hatira 73’), Huszti – Meier (c)