From the start, WSV controlled the game. Play was built up from a solid defensive position, with lightning strikes that tore apart the feeble Essen defense. Especially N'Diaye was unstoppable by the defenders, although he would subsequently ruin everything by a crummy shot. After only 5 minutes, he dribbled through the defense, but his wicked shot went over the net. A good save by Essen's backup goalie Krause denied Walbroehl a goal 7 minutes later, and in the 25th, it was a repeat of the N'Diaye scenario.
As usual, the WSV defense fell asleep for a moment, as Menzel let Leib get in a cross that Gramse misjudged, so that Helmig only had to tap in. So against the flow of play, WSV was down at the half.
In the 2nd half, Brent Goulet took advantage of a miscue in the Essen midfield, and waltzed in 1-on-1 against Krause, but incredibly missed from 2 yards out. Coach Ali Hoefer must have recognized potential symptoms of N'Diaye-itis, and "yanked" him out. Meanwhile, Aurel Panait was viciously fouled by an Essen thug, and was dragged off the field. This gave Libyan Abubakr Ben Krema his first appearance for WSV
As WSV began to get desperate, throwing everything into the attack, Essen began to get some chances. But the WSV strategy paid off. Mademann was up front for a corner kick, and knocked in a shot from the top of the box in the 78. minute to tie it up. Only three minutes later, it was the same scenario, only this time his vicious shot almost ripped a hole in the net.
The final 10 minutes saw the tables turn, with Essen desperately trying to reach a draw. However, the WSV defense stood firm, and the counter attacks really should have brought a third goal. Instead, just another shot off the post. After 95 minutes of play, the final whistle allowed WSV to take home the 3 points, with the cheers of the visiting Wuppertal fans echoing throughout the stunned Essen crowd.
In post game conferences, Essen coach Dieter Brei whined and sniveled about the refs, about WSV's "hard play", etc. Guess he figured he'd better start yapping, since RWE will obviously fire his ass soon. Needless to say, coach Hoefer was quite happy with the result.
Standings after Round 5