Marmoush scores as Frankfurt wins out over Pauli
Omar Marmoush joined Bayern Munich's Harry at the top of the Bundesliga scoring charts as he scored the winning goal in a narrow 1-0 victory for Eintracht Frankfurt at St Pauli in possibly his last act for the club.
The Egyptian forward has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in the January transfer window, but if it is to happen in the coming days, his professionalism was unwavering in a tricky fixture for the side he has propelled to the top three this season.
Kane retook the lead in the scoring charts after burying a penalty for Bayern in a similarly narrow 1-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach, but Marmoush's form this season has been irresistable and has his side behind only league leader Bayern and second-placed defending champion Bayer Leverkusen on the league standings.
Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller doesn't want to see arguably his best player leave, and said as much after the game.
Host St Pauli came into the game desperate for points in a bid to get clear of the relegation zone.
Indeed Jackson Irvine's side had shown signs of improvement before the winter break, winning away at Stuttgart and hoping to upset a Frankfurt side that was winless in its past three matches.
But it wasn't to be as Marmoush capitalised on a defensive error to fire home from close range just after the half hour.
But Pauli was far from disgraced, and had more than enough opportunities to square the ledger and even perhaps claim all three points.
Carlo Boukhalfa hit the post in first-half stoppage time and the hosts continued to push hard for an equaliser in the second period.
Australia star Irvine forced a sharp save from Kevin Trapp in the 55th minute and both sides hit the frame of the goal twice.
Scott Banks also struck the crossbar for Pauli late on and ultimately time ran out for the hosts as Frankfurt held firm to secure all three points.
