2. Bundesliga: Hat-trick hero Futkeu shines in Fürth’s massive win over out-of-form Darmstadt

2. Bundesliga: Hat-trick hero Futkeu shines in Fürth’s massive win over out-of-form Darmstadt

Noel Futkeu stars in Greuther Fürth’s big win over promotion hopefuls Darmstadt. The result saw Heiko Vogel’s side climb to 14th place, which is their joint highest position since matchday eight. Darmstadt are now five points behind the promotion playoff spot with only four games left to play.

Isac Lidberg’s 15th goal of the season put the visitors ahead ten minutes before the end of first-half, but the Swede striker wasn’t the only one to reach that mark by the end of the game.  Silas Prüfrock’s poor save from Kai Klefisch’s harmless effort led to Lidberg’s finish from the rebound.

Fürth levelled the score when Patric Pfeiffer penalized for a handball inside the box. Futkeu scored against Darmstadt for the third time this season with a successful penalty-kick. Marcel Schuhen, who has been one of the best goalkeepers in 2. Bundesliga this season, saved Darmstadt twice from going behind for the first time early after the restart.

That proved decisive for a bit when Yosuke Furukawa restored Darmstadt’s lead in the 77th minute. Jan Elvedi managed to block Fraser Hornby from reaching Marco Richter’s delightful chipped pass, but the substitute reacted quickly to put Florian Kohfeldt's side in front.