BERLIN — Eintracht Frankfurt ended its streak of three consecutive draws and secured its position in third place in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory over Holstein Kiel, who are currently battling against relegation.

Hugo Ekitiké, despite missing a penalty and having a late goal disallowed due to offside, saw his teammates shine in the absence of Egypt’s Omar Marmoush. Marmoush, who was Frankfurt’s leading scorer with 15 goals in the league this season, transferred to Manchester City for approximately 70 million euros ($73 million) during the winter transfer window, where he recently scored a hat trick.

In the match, Hugo Larsson opened the scoring for Frankfurt, nudging the ball over the line with his knee in the 18th minute. Just before halftime, Brazilian defender Tuta found himself unmarked at the back post to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 37th minute after Kiel struggled to clear a corner kick. Ekitiké had an opportunity to increase the advantage to 3-0 before halftime; however, Thomas Dähne saved his penalty attempt successfully by diving in the right direction.

Frankfurt eventually secured a third goal in the 59th minute, with Can Uzun capitalizing on a poorly executed backpass from David Zec. This marked Uzun’s fourth goal of the season. Despite a third attempt from Kiel’s Finn Porath finding the net in the 73rd minute—after Frankfurt’s goalkeeper Kevin Trapp had parried his first two attempts—the effort was insufficient for the last-placed team to make a comeback.

Earlier in the day, Hoffenheim came from behind to claim a 3-1 victory against Werder Bremen, while Mainz took on Heidenheim in the late match of the day.