Silva’s glancing header gave Adi Hütter’s in-form side an early lead, but Theodor Gebre Selassie equalised for Bremen three minutes into the second half. Josh Sargent completed the turnaround with a low finish past Kevin Trapp, condemning the Eagles to their first league defeat since 11 December.
Silva returns
Silva was back in the Eintracht starting line-up after recovering from a back injury. The Eagles’ top scorer was one of three changes to the team that overcame league leaders Bayern Munich, with Djibril Sow and Erik Durm also returning to the side. Evan Ndicka was serving a one-match ban, while Almamy Toure and Luka Jovic were on the bench.
Kostic and Silva combine again
The Eagles wasted little time in taking control of possession in Bremen, who set their stall out to frustrate the visitors. That game plan quickly went up in smoke, though, as Eintracht took an early lead courtesy of their top goalscorer. Amin Younes played a short corner to Filip Kostic, whose trademark cross was headed into the far corner by Silva. The Portuguese has now scored more goals in 2021 (10) than any other player in the Bundesliga.
Silva almost doubled his personal tally when he wriggled past Ömer Toprak and Marco Friedl before getting his shot off, but Jiri Pavlenka was out quickly to deny the striker. Kostic curled a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area moments later, before a Sargent goal was disallowed for offside against Milot Rashica. The Kosovan went close himself before the break, skimming the top of the crossbar with a curling effort.
Eintracht finally beaten
Buoyed by their strong finish to the first half, Bremen equalised within minutes of the restart. Rashica released Gebre Selassie, whose accurate finish into the far corner was initially ruled out for offside but eventually allowed to stand following a VAR review. Eintracht responded well and went close to retaking the lead soon afterwards, but Kostic’s volley across goal was too powerful for Silva.
Sargent thought he had been denied again when his shot into the far corner was checked by VAR, but the USA international was deemed to be onside from Maximilian Eggestein’s pass and the goal was given. Eintracht were firmly on the back foot by now, and fortunate not to fall further behind when another Bremen goal – this time from Rashica – was chalked off for offside. Silva went close to earning the Eagles a late point, but he was thwarted by Pavlenka once again.
Summary: All good things come to an end
The Eagles weren’t at their best on Friday evening, but this incredible run had to end at some point. Hütter’s side remain in an excellent position in the table and will be hungrier than ever to claim maximum points at home to VfB Stuttgart next weekend.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Hasebe, Hinteregger – Durm (Barkok 65’), Sow, Rode (Hrustic 65’), Kostic – Kamada (Jovic 65’), Younes – Silva
Goals
0-1 Silva (9’)
1-1 Gebre Selassie (48’)
2-1 Sargent (63’)
