What a crucial victory! Hannover 96 defeat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at the AWD-Arena in a massive battle at the foot of the Bundesliga. Leon Andreassen (14') and Sergio Pinto (57') were the heros for the Reds, Eintracht Frankfurt's goal coming on the stroke of half-time through Halil Altintop (45+2). Eintracht also had two players sent off due to second bookable offences- Teber (54') and Franz (90+1).

Return of Ya Konan and Pinto after suspension

After winning his first points as Hannover 96 manager last week with the 2-1 win at home to SC Freiburg, coach Mirko Slomka was able to recall Ya Konan and Pinto, who returned from suspension. Albanian midfielder Lala missed out with a knee injury though, while Jiri Stajner remained on the bench for the home side. After the heavy 4-1 defeat against Schalke 04 last time out Eintracht Frankfurt coach Michael Skibbe recalled defender Maik Franz ahead of the demoted Sebastian Jung. 

Early lead for the Reds

Hannover 96 were clearly breaming with confidence following their win at home to Freiburg last weekend, their first win in the Bundesliga since the end of October. They started much the better of the two sides, and put Eintracht under considerable early pressure. Kone had the first real opening for the hosts, leaving Eintracht defenders Chris and Russ in his wake before striking a low and hard shot which Eintracht keeper Nikolov dealt with comfortably. Shortly afterwards, Franz had to clear off the line after a spectacular overhead effort from Schulz, with Nikolov a beaten man. But with their third attempt on goal, the home side were indeed successful; a cross from Manuel Schmiedebach was chested down by Ya Konan for Leon Andreassen to smash Hannover into the lead (14'). And what a fully deserved lead it was as well!

Firm display at the back by 96

Up until this point Eintracht had offered very little in terms of offensive play, and were giving away several needless fouls, Maik Franz and Selim Teber two of the key offenders- both were to regret their recklessness later in the game.

The Reds celebrate their opening goal.

But almost out of nothing they created a chance to equalise; it was the first time that Eintracht had been able to get a decent cross into the Hannover box, and at the back post was Halil Altintop, whose header from a tight angle was blocked by Florian Fromlowitz (30'). Despite Eintracht coming more into the game, the Hannover defence was standing firm, with Elson and Djakpa diffusing any Frankfurt threat.

Undeserved equaliser out of nothing

In added time at the end of the first half though came a real shock for the Reds. After a hopeful cross by Schwegler, both Durica and Haggui were deceived by Halil Altintop, who finished confidently past Fromlowitz to grab the equaliser just before half time. It was a real bitter pill to swallow for the home side, who had been the better team in the first 45 minutes. The teams went into the break at 1-1.

Numerical advantage cleverly used

Frankfurt started much better in the second half, and could have taken the lead on 50 minutes through Köhler, but he was denied by Fromlowitz. But then on 55 minutes came a real turning point in the game; after a deliberate handball, Selim Teber earned himself a second yellow card and was sent off- just two minutes later Hannover made the most of the advantage.

Didier Ya Konan puts himself about.

Ya Konan played the ball wonderfully to  Elson, who was denied by Nikolov. The ball fell to the American Steve Cherundolo, and he couldn't force the ball home either, but then it trickled out to Sergio Pinto; the German-Portuguese converting to send the home fans into ecstasy (57'). 

96 fight tooth and nail for the victory

Hannover were conscious that a single goal may not have been enough to win the game, and they continued to look dangerous going forward, especially on counter attacks with Eintracht pressing for an equaliser. However, the visitors were unable to create anything clear cut. In stoppage time at the end of the game, Maik Franz also received his marching orders for a late sliding tackle on Schulz, earning his second yellow card of the game, meaning that they would finish the match with just nine players. Just afterwards, substitute Mike Hanke could have sealed the win with a third, but he was denied by some effective goalkeeping from Nikolov. However, it was still enough for Hannover 96, whose players and fans celebrated at the final whistle.

Hannover 96: Fromlowitz - Schmiedebach, Durica, Haggui, Schulz - Andreasen, Pinto, Djakpa, Elson - Ya Konan, Koné

Eintracht Frankfurt: Nikolov - Franz, Chris, Russ, Spycher - Schwegler, Ochs, Meier, Teber, Köhler - Altintop

Goals: 1:0 Andreasen (14.) 1:1 Altintop (45.) 2:1 Pinto (57.)

Yellow cards: Schulz, Cherundolo / Teber, Franz, Ochs, Caio 

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