Eintracht outclass APOEL to make it two from two

Srdjan Lakić marked his birthday in style as Eintracht Frankfurt made it two 3-0 wins from two in UEFA Europa League Group F.

Lakić turned 30 on the eve of the game and capped an energetic performance just before the hour, playing a one-two with Václav Kadlec and slipping the ball between Urko Pardo's legs. Pardo had already conceded by then, helpless to prevent Nektarios Alexandrou's own goal, and the keeper was soon retrieving the ball from his net again as the alert Sebastian Jung made it three.

That Eintracht vim was a contrast to the fractious early stages as both teams struggled to gain a foothold, but it all clicked into place when the visitors forged ahead on 27 minutes. Tranquillo Barnetta set the wheels in motion, delivering a long ball which Jung met with a first time cross and Alexandrou, attempting to block, could only steer it past Pardo.

Eintracht began to dictate matters, and when Lakić doubled the advantage the game looked to be up for an APOEL side that have found goals hard to come by this season. 'Feel the terror of Nicosia' said a banner pushed up against the night's sky at one end of the GSP Stadium, but with Anderson Bamba peerless at the back, there did not seem to be much to unsettle their German visitors.

Jung duly sealed the points, cushioning Carlos Zambrano's quickly-taken free-kick from halfway and side-footing in his first goal in nearly 12 months. Eintracht, six games unbeaten, will be on the verge of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 if they win at home to Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC next time out. APOEL, who travel to FC Girondins de Bordeaux in three weeks, have it all to do.