Robert Lewandowski (C) of Bayern Munich competes during a 2019-2020 season German Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 2, 2019. (Xinhua/Lu Yang)
BERLIN, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Eintracht Frankfurt punished runners-up Bayer Munich 5-1 after making use of their numerical advantage while Borussia Monchengladbach defended the top spot with a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 10th round of Bundesliga on Saturday.
Bayern caught a bright start on the road as Serge Gnabry created the first chance of the game following a one-two with Thomas Muller.
However things changed on the pitch with ten minutes played as Jerome Boateng received his marching orders after a foul play to Goncalo Paciencia, who had just goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to beat.
The "Eagles" did not need much time to utilize their numerical advantage as Filip Kostic slotted home a deflected pass from six meters to open the scoring on home soil in the 25th minute.
Frankfurt piled on the pressure and doubled their lead nine minutes later as Kostic cross to the far post found Dijbril Sow, who made no mistake to volley home from seven meters.
Bayern showed vitals signs before the break and were able to pull one back in the 37th minute when Robert Lewandowski shrugged off three defender to mark his 14th goal of the season.
Adi Hutter's men destroyed all hopes of a comeback after the restart, as David Abraham poked home Danny da Costa's pinpoint cross with four minutes into the second half.
The visitors kept it bowling but two goals from Frankfurt sealed the deal. Martin Hinteregger headed home a corner at the hour mark before Paciencia rounded off the 5-1 rout of the defending champions.
With the result, the German record champions slipped from the 2nd to the 4th place whereas Eintracht Frankfurt jump from the 9th to the 6th spot in the Bundesliga standings.
Borussia Monchengladbach defended their lead in the table as the "Foals" overpowered Bayer Leverkusen on the first half goals from Oscar Wendt and Marcus Thuram.
Both teams staged a fast-paced encounter with many chances at both ends of the pitch. Monchengladbach showed a clinical chance conversion and broke the deadlock with 18 minutes into the clash as Thuram's square pass into the box meet Wendt, who slotted home from very close range.
The "Werkself" remained unimpressed and needed only seven minutes to score the equalizer through Kevin Volland, who capitalized on a neat pass from Lucas Alario to round onrushing goalkeeper Yann Sommer for the 1-1 equalizer.
Front runners Monchengladbach continued on the front foot and grabbed the lead before the break as Patrick Herrmann's pass into the area gave Thuram the chance to put his name on the scoreboards in the 42nd minute.
After the restart, the visitors should have extended their lead but Leverkusen goalie Lukas Hradecky denied Florian Neuhaus at the near post.
Leverkusen pressed relentless for a draw but Marco Rose's men were able to protect their lead to the end. The hosts had to complete their match with ten men as Leon Bailey saw a straight red card for a violent conduct.
With the 7th win of the season Monchengladbach have opened up a three-point gap atop the standings whereas Leverkusen slumped from the 8th to the 10th position.
Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund inflicted Wolfsburg the first defeat of the Bundesliga season as three second half goals lifted the "BVB" on the 2nd place of the table.
Leipzig humiliated struggling Mainz 8-0 with the assistance of German international Timo Werner, who provided a hat rick, and Werder Bremen shared the spoils with Freiburg following a two-all draw.
