The starting line-up of Eintracht was left unchanged by manager Armin Veh compared to the one of last matchday's away win in Bochum. Hoffer again replaced Gekas, Anderson returned to the defense after his substitution last week. Duisburg changed theirs starting 11 in two positions: Bollmann and Brosinski started instead of Hoffmann and Lazok.
The match was even in the first 15 minutes with the Eagles being in control defensively but not quite finding their way to create good scoring opportunities. Meier hit a direct free-kick high over Dusiburg's goal (15'), Nikolov was at the end of a deflected Jula shot (20') and again Meier did not get anough power to his headed shot from close range and MSV keeper Fromlowitz saved (21'). Many free-kicks and offside positions kept interrupting the flow on both sides in the first 25 minutes.
Then Köhler hit the cross bar with a great direct free-kick - the biggest chance of the match at that stage (32'). Three minutes later Alex Meier found Erwin 'Jimmy' Hoffer on the left and the Austrian striker picked up speed and after a great run found the net with a clinical finish from close range - 1-0 (35')!
Straight after the goal the Eagles had chances to score the second, Meier put one wide and had another shot saved (39', 42') and Hoffer also missed the target (42'). Fromlowitz saved another attempt of Köhler (45'). On the other side Duisburg had a good chance to equalize when Soares was left unmarked in the five yard box and headed a free-kick cross towards the goal, Eintracht keeper Nikolov did well to save the attempt from close range (45'). It was a deserved half time lead for the Eagles also backed up by 11-5 shots, 4-0 corners and 65-35% possession in the firts 45 minutes.
There were no substitutions on either side going into the second half. It took the Eagles seven minutes to extend the lead, Mo Idrissoe crossed the ball in and again Erwin Hoffer was at the end of it, this time he headed it in - 2-0 (53')! It was Eintracht's 30th goal of the season and the 11th headed goal - both top in the league. The Eagles were fully in control by now and MSV did not seem to have the quality to find their way back into the match.
As a result Alex Meier added the third goal, with a beautiful volley shot from a Rode cross (65') - it was Meier's 8th of the season moving him up to the joint top scorer position of Bundesliga 2 (alongside St. Pauli's Kruse).
Armin Veh brought on Rob Friend for Erwin Hoffer (77'), Karim Matmour for Sebastian Rode (82') and Ümit Korkmaz for Constant Djakpa (86'). The match calmed down to some extend due to Eintracht's dominance and the comfortable lead. Friend came close with a back-heel try from close range but a MSV defender got the last touch clearing for a corner. Also Korkmaz had a go with a volley that was just off target (89').
It was a well deserved 3-0 win in front of a 39,900 crowd with another dominant performance by Eintracht, the full time stats showed 14-9 shots, 8-1 corners and 63% ball possession in Frankfurt's favour.
The Eagles moved up to the second spot in the standings which would entitle them to direct promotion. They stay unbeaten this season, scored the most goals in the league (31) and managed to score 3 or more in 8 of the 12 games so far. Coming up is the 2nd round of the cup with the home match against 1. FC Kaiserslauter on Wednesday (kick-off at 20.30h CET) and next weekend's league match away to FC Ingolstadt (Sunday at 13.30h CET). Busy times for an Eintracht team that looks confident, focussed and strong.
