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The Markische Allgemeineaptly summed up Turbine Potsdam’s 2-0 win over Frankfurt in three words: Quick, simple, and effective. (Highlights)

Turbine Potsdam essentially needed just 13 minutes to cap off the away victory before a capacity crowd of 5, 200. The league leaders overwhelmed Frankfurt’s stretched defense from the outset.

Potsdam put away its first true chance of the game with cool efficiency. In the eighth minute, Patricia Hanebeck served the ball to a lurking Jennifer Cramer. The 18-year-old (and 2011 U-19 European champion) didn’t hesitate and rocketed the ball past Nadine Angerer. It was Cramer’s first goal for the senior team, and seemed to be an indication of things to come.

Five minutes later, Hanebeck linked up with Genoveva Anonma on the left side of the penalty area. Anonma struck a hard-driven shot that was guided into the net by the foot of Anja Mittag. It was Mittag’s sixth goal in four games.

The visitors created more opportunities to increase the score line. Angerer, however, foiled Potsdam’s subsequent attempts on goal.

With the win all but sewn up, Potsdam’s breakneck attack began to relent. Possession became more equitable towards the end of the first half. Frankfurt would often win the ball in midfield but failed to produce much on the counterattack. Lira Bajramaj was as frustrating as she’s been all year. She would often dribble into blind alleys or hurry to get errant shots off.

Bajramaj’s ineffectiveness was mirrored by her Frankfurt teammates. Aside from two decent chances in the first half, Kerstin Garefrekes went missing in the second. Melanie Behringer was Frankfurt’s only distinguished attacker. She tried her damndest to kick-start the offense, just as she had done in Frankfurt’s losing effort against Freiburg last week. (The Behringer v. Odebrecht contest was especially entertaining.)

Frankfurt’s defensive prowess remained questionable. Saki Kumagai showed the the downside of youth once more, as she missed her mark on Cramer’s first goal. Ali Krieger also had a thoroughly unremarkable game as Turbine Potsdam marshaled the right side of the pitch. (Side note: You have to wonder when she started thinking, “You know, Phoenix doesn’t sound that bad right about now.”)

One Nittany Lion did manage to impress, however. Alyssa Naeher had her most accomplished game in goal for Turbine Potsdam. The 23-year-old’s astute positioning was key in several big blocks towards the end of the second half. It was Naeher’s fourth consecutive clean sheet for Potsdam. Her performance also affirmed how much the Boston Breakers no. 1 has improved since she went pro in 2010.

After the match, Frankfurt head coach Sven Kahlert scolded his players on another uninspiring performance. “The team has generally not kept in my tactical directives,” he said, “It cannot be that I still see that Potsdam went for every ball in the 90 minutes and our players did not.”

Still, Kahlert’s substitution pattern provoked a few questions. In the 68th minure, he called on defender Gina Lewandowski to replace left-back Sara Thunebro. Striker Jessica Landström, who for all her faults – and yes there are plenty – was Frankfurt’s only available attacking option as Ane Marie Crnogorcevic was presumably still recovering from an injury sustained mid-week. Landström remained on the bench as an unused substitute.

The convincing victory means Turbine Potsdam has taken another giant stride beyond its competitors in the title race. Now with a commanding five-point lead at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga table, Potsdam’s quest for the elusive treble now begins in earnest. The next hurdle may come in the DFB-Pokal Cup, which Potsdam hasn’t won since the 2005-06 season.

Incidentally, Frankfurt stands in their way. The draw for the Quarterfinals of the DFB-Pokal Cup was conducted during half-time. As fate would have it, Frankfurt – the current holders – were drawn against Turbine Potsdam. The match will be held in Frankfurt in three weeks’ time.

With the league title now cast in doubt, the re-match against their bitter rivals could define Frankfurt’s season. After Sunday’s match, it’s clear they have much to work on.

Duisburg might be the only team in the league that can impede Turbine Potsdam’s title dash. The Lionesses are now a point clear of Frankfurt in second place after a comprehensive 3-1 win over a typically mediocre Bayern Munich side. Duisburg has seemingly recovered from its shocking 2-0 loss to Bad Neuenahr last week.

Jennifer Oster opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Alex Popp doubled Duisburg’s lead five minutes later. Bayern Munich’s nippy forward Laura Feiersinger got a goal back early in the second half. But in the last minute of regular time, Linda Bresonik served up an absolutely delicious cross to a waiting Kozue Ando who powered a header into the net. (Highlights)

Turbine Potsdam will be set to host Duisburg once league action returns after the international break next week. Duisburg will have the chance to prevent Potsdam from running away with the league.

Around the League

The lone draw of the weekend occurred between Hamburg and USV Jena. The result doesn’t do much for either side, however, as Hamburg remains three places above the drop zone while Jena slip back into it. New Zealand international Amber Hearn netted her first top-flight goal for Jena. Hamburg’s Maike Timmermann scored the first goal of the match. She’s officially on a goal-scoring streak as she’s now scored in each of last her three appearances.

Wolfsburg maintained its unbeaten run against Freiburg. The Wolves insisted they wouldn’t be victims of another upset as they ran out 3-0 winners.

Bayer Leverkusen remains in freefall after a 2-0 loss against Essen-Schönebeck. That’s four consecutive losses for the Pharmaceuticals who seem destined to return to the 2.Bundesliga. They drop to the bottom of the table and are now on just three points.

And alas, it’s a new day for Bad Neuenahr. The team that couldn’t find a win in its first seven league games now finds itself in – gasp - seventh place. Colin Bell’s side scored its third consecutive win against Lokomotive Leipzig on the weekend. Celia Okoyino da Mbabi chipped in with her team’s final goal. She’s now scored four games in three matches. The team’s remaining fixtures in 2011 should see them continue its winning ways. They face imminently beatable opponents in Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Freiburg. Who knows where they’ll be when league play resumes in February.

France

The Feminine Division saw the top five sides each earn victories on the weekend.

Juvisy remains at the summit of the table after a 2-1 win against Rodez. Lyon shut out Yzeure Allier 6-0 in which Eugenie Le Sommer scored a brace and Louisa Necib netted just her second ever FD1 hat-trick of her career. Third place Montpellier blanked Guingamp 3-0.

PSG made the most of the momentum generated from last week’s Champions League win against Frankfurt. The side saw off Vendenheim 4-1 and remains in fourth. Allie Long and Ella Masar scored PSG’s first couple of goals.

Elsewhere

In Denmark, Brondby and Fortuna Hjorring remain knotted in first place, although Brondby has a game in hand. Skovbakken are just one point off the leaders.

In the Spanish Superliga, Barcelona remains perfect after 10 matches. Athletic Club Bilbao earned a narrow 2-3 win against Rayo Vallecano on the weekend and are in second place. Espanyol and Sporting de Huelva are tied in third place.

Just three points separates the top five sides in Italy. Bardolino has a one point advantage over second place Tavagnacco. Sassari Torres defeated Brescia, dropping them to fourth place.

Glasgow City officially won the Scottish Women’s Premier League with a 5-0 win against Hamilton Academy. The team finished 15 points clear of second place Spartans and scored a grand total of 130 goals (6.5 per match) whilst conceding just six.

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