Gladbach win Rhine derby

Borussia Monchengladbach picked up their first three points of 2013 with a 2-1 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Borussia Monchengladbach picked up their first three points of 2013 with a 2-1 victory in the Rhine derby against Fortuna Dusseldorf, who lost their second game in a row. An own goal from Juanan and a Patrick Herrmann strike gave the Foals a two-goal lead at half time. A penalty from Dani Schahin gave Fortuna hope early in the second half, but they were unable to find an equaliser as the home side played down the clock without running too much risk of conceding. Gladbach were helped on their way to victory by an own goal by Juanan in the sixth minute. In attempting to clear Oscar Wendt's cross, the Fortuna defender unwittingly diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper Fabian Giefer to put the hosts in front. Gladbach may have been given a helping hand to open the scoring, but they showed they warranted their lead as they pushed on for a second. Herrmann almost scored in the 11th minute before doing so three minutes later. Luuk de Jong played the uncustomary role of provider crossing low from the right to Herrmann, who was occupying the position usually taken by the Belgian to double the Foals' lead from close range. Juan Arango, who had a hand in the opening goal, almost made it three in the 33rd minute, but his shot was straight at Giefer, while Herrmann continued to cause problems down the Gladbach right wing. Fortuna needed a stroke of luck of their own to get back into the game, and it arrived in the 51st minute when De Jong handled the ball inside his own area and Schahin brought them back into the game from the penalty spot. Fortuna had a bright spell in which they caused Gladbach a few problems, but Lucien Favre's side soon regained control of proceedings and had the better chances to finish off their guests. Martin Latka almost became the second Fortuna player to score an own goal, but the post came to his rescue before Arango was denied by Giefer in a one-on-one situation. The win lifts the Foals to seventh, level on points with Schalke and the closest they have been all season to a qualifying berth for the Europa League next season.