BERLIN, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Borussia Monchengladbach scored twice in the opening stages to smooth the way for a 3-1 away win over Eintracht Frankfurt behind closed doors in the 26th round of the Bundesliga on Saturday.
The "Foals" had a fairy tale start to the "ghost game" as Alassane Plea exchanged a one-two with Jonas Hofmann before slotting home into the far corner to shock Frankfurt just 37 seconds into the clash.
Monchengladbach benefited from the momentum and added another goal to their lead only six minutes later when Marcus Thuram poked home a square pass from Ramy Bensebaini.
Frankfurt showed their first vital signs with 23 minutes played when Filip Kostic tested Yann Sommer with a free kick hammer from 25 meters out before Stefan Ilsanker pulled the rebound just wide.
However, the visitors posed more of a threat and were able to get another shot on target as Thuram forced custodian Kevin Trapp into action before the half time.
After the restart, chances were at a premium but the game sparked back to life in the 68th minute when Plea rattled the woodwork with a curling shot from the edge of the box.
Moments later Monchengladbach were awarded a penalty as Evan Ndicka brought down Breel Embolo inside the box. Bensebaini stepped up and kept his nerves to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.
In the closing period, the hosts were able to score a consolation goal out of the blue after Andre Silva slotted home in the 81st minute.
Monchengladbach nearly restored their three-goal lead in the dying seconds of the game but defender Martin Hinteregger artistically denied Hofman on the goal-line.
With the result, Frankfurt slump to 13th place whereas Monchengladbach climb to the 3rd in the Bundesliga standings.
"If you concede two goals in the opening period, that, of course, make things a lot more difficult. We deservedly lost as we gave away the game in the first ten minutes," Frankfurt's coach Adi Hutter said.
"It was important to win today and two quick goals helped a lot. It is a deserved win but we should have at least added one more goal," Monchengladbach's coach Marco Rose said.
The following fixtures are scheduled for Sunday: Cologne encounter Mainz and newly promoted Union Berlin host front runners Bayern Munich. Enditem
