Uzun and Ekitiké strike as Frankfurt soar past Ferencváros

Eintracht Frankfurt cruised towards another UEFA Europa League victory and three crucial points tonight as they overcame the challenge of reigning Hungarian champions Ferencváros. Despite a rather lacklustre opening half, Die Adler managed to turn the screw instantly after the interval and demonstrate their superiority. Dino Toppmöller's men can begin to envisage a top-eight finish which would guide the Hessen club directly into the quarter-finals. 

The Deutsche Bank Park audience was subjected to a rather uneventful first-half in truth as both teams probed for an opening. For all of Frankfurt's wealth of possession, it took until the 19th-minute for the first chance when Hugo Ekitiké pinched Habib Maiga's pockets and forced Dénes Dibusz into a save. The Hungarian international would withdraw with a hip injury soon after as Adam Varga replaced him and produced a swift parry to deny Rasmus Kristensen.

The second-half took on a completely different life of its own when Can Uzun made it 1-0 with a wonderful strike from range having intercepted Abu Fani in the 50th-minute. Hugo Ekitiké may have regretted spurning a gilt-edged chance to tap in from a Kristensen cross but the Frenchman made ammends just before the hour mark. Hugo Larsson's blocked shot fell perfectly for Ekitiké to pounce and drill beneath Adam Varga. 

Establishing a safe lead allowed Frankfurt to take the foot off the gas while Ferencváros failed to threaten. A brief moment of controversy arrived when Ibrahim Cissé appeared to block Ekitiké's shot with an outstretched arm. Match arbiter Enea Jorgji scrapped any notions of a potential penalty which was fair in all probability. Dino Toppmöller even took time to give the likes of Götze and Ekitiké an early night as Farès Chaïbi and Igor Matanovic played out the last ten minutes.