Creating far the better chances throughout, the hosts had Marco Reus and Dante to thank for the two headed goals which ensured the three points stayed in Gladbach, and in truth the margin could have been far greater but for some lacklustre finishing in the second half.
Reus opens the scoring
Clearly unfazed by a visiting side which went into the match full of European aspirations, Gladbach were the first to show the initiative with Raul Bobadilla releasing the first shot of the game well over the bar. Just three minutes later, though, and the hosts took the lead as Michael Bradley lifted the ball into the box for Bobadilla, the Argentinean striker heading past the stranded Oka Nikolov for Reus to nod home under pressure.
Frankfurt's attempt at an immediate response resulted in a fierce strike from Benjamin Köhler being tipped round the post by Logan Bailly, but Borussia had already worked up a taste for more with Bobadilla again testing Nikolov from distance before Bradley's powerful free kick had the Macedonian keeper at full strength ten minutes before half time.
Dante adds a second
But for a decent strike from Alexander Meier early in the second half, Gladbach were again fastest out of the blocks and duly added a second within 11minutes of the restart. Juan Arango swung a delightful free kick across the six yard box, where the unchallenged Dante guided the ball into the far corner to extend the home side's advantage.
An entertaining attacking encounter ensued with Borussia clearly enjoying the better of the play. Nikolov had to be quick off his line to deny Bobadilla a third, while at the other end Ümit Korkmaz hit the side netting and Halil Altintop blazed arguably Frankfurt's best chance of the match over the bar.
Top five unlikely
Despite those close shaves, it was Michael Frontzeck's side who looked the more likely to add to their lead late on. Reus should probably have had a hat-trick but first brought a stunning save from Nikolov before letting himself down with a lazy finish from the edge of the box from a superb Arango cross. Bobadilla had a wonderful chance to register his fourth of the season, but could only find the side netting when clean through.
Nonetheless the home side cruised over the line for a deserved three points on home turf and though relegation is still mathematically still possible, surely secure their Bundesliga status for another season. Frankfurt, meanwhile, remain four points off the top five and will be praying that Werder Bremen, Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart also slip up over the weekend.
Gladbach: Bailly - Levels, Brouwers, Dante, Daems - Marx, Bradley - Reus (Herrmann 84'), Arango - Matmour (Kleine 84'), Bobadilla (Colautti 89')
Frankfurt: Nikolov - P. Ochs, Chris, Russ, Spycher (M. Heller 84') - Meier, Teber (Fenin 59') - Korkmaz, Caio, Köhler - Halil Altintop (Tsoumou 88')
Goals: 1-0 Reus (6'), 2-0 Dante (55')
Attendance: 46,000 (Borussia Park)
Andy James
