Ebnoutalib strikes late to earn Frankfurt their first home win

Younes Ebnoutalib's second-half strike gave Eintracht Frankfurt a 1-0 win over 1. FC Köln on Matchday 6, ending the Eagles' winless home run this season. The forward finished from a tight angle in the 77th minute after a sharp counter-attack, and the hosts held on for the victory.

Head coach Adi Hütter made three changes following the 6-0 defeat in Leipzig, with Fares Chaïbi, Mario Götze and top scorer Ebnoutalib all starting. Köln boss René Wagner altered his side too, bringing in Tom Krauß for the injured Ellyes Skhiri and handing Joël Schmied his first start of the season. Noah Atubolu made his 100th Bundesliga appearance in the Frankfurt goal.

Goalkeepers keep the scores level before the break

Köln had the clearest opening of the first half when Marius Bülter was sent clean through after just seconds, only for Atubolu to make a fine save. The visitors went close again on the half-hour as Bülter met a free-kick at the front post, forcing another smart stop from the Frankfurt keeper. Chaïbi and Ebnoutalib tested Marvin Schwäbe at the other end, but the sides went in level at the break. Said El Mala's curling effort in the final chance before half-time was far off target.

Frankfurt dominate after the restart

Frankfurt came out sharper after the restart and created a string of chances through Ebnoutalib, Chaïbi and Lilian Brassier, all denied by Schwäbe. Brassier, who has played every minute for Frankfurt since joining from Rennes, was denied his first Bundesliga goal by the Köln keeper. Ritsu Doan also created several chances with pinpoint deliveries early in the second half.

The breakthrough arrived in the 77th minute: after a high Frankfurt turnover, substitute Noël Aséko threaded a pass into the path of Ebnoutalib, who finished to make it 1-0. The 23-year-old now has five league goals this season, level with Patrik Schick at the top of the scoring chart.

Köln push late but fail to find an equaliser

Köln made five substitutions in the space of a few minutes and seemed to improve, with Reigan Heskey trying to create a chance late on. Schwäbe denied Chaïbi once more just before injury time, and Borna Sosa was shown a late yellow card as the hosts held on. Man of the Match Ebnoutalib was Frankfurt's liveliest attacker throughout, with 60 per cent of the vote.

Frankfurt, who kept their first clean sheet after conceding 16 goals in the first five matchdays, climb into the top half of the standings. Nnamdi Collins was substituted after feeling something on his ankle, a moment Frankfurt fans will hope proves merely cautionary.

Looking ahead

Frankfurt travel to Borussia Dortmund in next week's Topspiel. Köln host newly promoted Schalke 04 as they look to maintain their unbeaten home record.

Match statistics

xGoals: Eintracht Frankfurt 1.68 - Köln 0.49. Fastest player: Saïd El Mala (Köln), 33.49 km/h. Lowest goal probability: Ebnoutalib's 1-0 goal (11 percent). Pass efficiency: Mario Götze (Frankfurt), +2.94. Fantasy heroes: Marvin Schwäbe (Köln, 127 points), Ritsu Doan (Frankfurt, 121 points), Tom Krauß (Köln, 103 points).