Sensational second half secures win in Frankfurt

Second half strikes from Selke, Leckie and Esswein secure big away win

Frankfurt- A hot April day, Hertha in red and a red hot second half performance. Pal Dardai and the boys were in the money in Germany’s financial capital on Saturday afternoon following a sensational post-half time performance against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Davie Selke’s penalty set Hertha on their way, before Mathew Leckie’s cool finish doubled the advantage and Alex Esswein put the icing on the cake following a terrific counter attack in injury time.

Frankfurt finished the game with ten men after Hasebe received his marching orders for an elbow on Selke.

Second half strikes from Selke, Leckie and Esswein secure big away win.

Frankfurt- A hot April day, Hertha in red and a red hot second half performance. Pal Dardai and the boys were in the money in Germany’s financial capital on Saturday afternoon following a sensational post-half time performance against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Davie Selke’s penalty set Hertha on their way, before Mathew Leckie’s cool finish doubled the advantage and Alex Esswein put the icing on the cake following a terrific counter attack in injury time.

Frankfurt finished the game with ten men after Hasebe received his marching orders for an elbow on Selke.

Pal Dardai made four changes to the side that had beaten Cologne a week ago. Niklas Stark missed out with a broken nose and was replaced by Jordan Torunarigha. Mitchell Weiser, Salomon Kalou and Vedad Ibisevic dropped out of the starting XI for Peter Pekarik, Mathew Leckie and Ondrej Duda.

Hertha had finished with a flourish against Cologne a week ago and were facing a side that had played 90 tense minutes in the week in the DFB-Pokal.

But the home side started the stronger, and controlled possession as Hertha sought to get a foothold in the game.

Mathew Leckie’s errant pass gave Luka Jovic a clear shot on goal, but the home striker could only fire over.

Minutes later, Karim Rekik’s backpass was too strong for Rune Jarstein, and the Hertha back line could only stand and watch as Gacinovic rifled the crossbar from close range.

Hertha picked up thereafter, and could even have sneaked in at the break ahead had Selke’s square ball to Leckie been weighted better.

No team in the Bundesliga this season have scored more goals in the first 15 minutes after half time than Hertha, and Dardai worked his magic with a team talk again in Frankfurt.

Selke was fouled in the area as he waited for teammates to arrive, and dusted himself down to convert the resulting penalty – which was correctly awarded following confirmation from VAR.

The game then turned hugely in Hertha’s favour, and as Frankfurt tired the boys in red were content to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter.

That they did. Twice. In devastating fashion. First sub Kalou fed Leckie, who calmly slotted home his first goal since Matchday five, and then the Ivorian created a wonderful third for Esswein in injury time.

This season’s top scorer dribbled his way around three home defenders before setting up Esswein to steer home.

Frankfurt had been reduced to ten men before the end as Hasebe saw a straight red for a dangerous foul on Selke.

Two weeks, five goals and six points. Hertha’s end to the season is looking as bright as the April sunshine.

Hertha had finished with a flourish against Cologne a week ago and were facing a side that had played 90 tense minutes in the week in the DFB-Pokal.But the home side started the stronger, and controlled possession as Hertha sought to get a foothold in the game.

Mathew Leckie’s errant pass gave Luka Jovic a clear shot on goal, but the home striker could only fire over. Minutes later, Karim Rekik’s backpass was too strong for Rune Jarstein, and the Hertha back line could only stand and watch as Gacinovic rifled the crossbar from close range.

Hertha picked up thereafter, and could even have sneaked in at the break ahead had Selke’s square ball to Leckie been weighted better.

No team in the Bundesliga this season have scored more goals in the first 15 minutes after half time than Hertha, and Dardai worked his magic with a team talk again in Frankfurt.

Selke was fouled in the area as he waited for teammates to arrive, and dusted himself down to convert the resulting penalty – which was correctly awarded following confirmation from VAR.

The game then turned hugely in Hertha’s favour, and as Frankfurt tired the boys in red were content to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter.

That they did. Twice. In devastating fashion. First sub Kalou fed Leckie, who calmly slotted home his first goal since Matchday five, and then the Ivorian created a wonderful third for Esswein in injury time.

This season’s top scorer dribbled his way around three home defenders before setting up Esswein to steer home. Frankfurt had been reduced to ten men before the end as Hasebe saw a straight red for a dangerous foul on Selke.

Two weeks, five goals and six points. Hertha’s end to the season is looking as bright as the April sunshine.

The win moves Hertha to 42 points and ninth place in the Bundesliga – officially confirming their safety from relegation.

Blue and White fans may even want to start dreaming too. The gap to seventh and the European places is now just four points, with Ausgburg set to visit the Olympiastadion next Saturday at 15:30.

The win moves Hertha to 42 points and ninth place in the Bundesliga – officially confirming their safety from relegation.

Blue and White fans may even want to start dreaming too. The gap to seventh and the European places is now just four points, with Ausgburg set to visit the Olympiastadion next Saturday at 15:30.