2. Bundesliga: Hannover end Darmstadt’s home record to boost promotion hopes

Hannover end Darmstadt’s unbeaten home record with an efficient performance in a key battle for promotion. Florian Kohfeldt’s side were the only side in Germany’s two divisions to stay unbeaten at home until this point.

Maurice Neubauer scored the opening goal with a measured finish in the 14th minute. In a game where both coaches were cautioned for protesting, Christian Titz’s side took all the points as Stefan Teitur Thordarson netted the second after his initial header was saved by Marcel Schuhen.

With their top-scorer Isac Lidberg out due to suspension, Darmstadt failed to score for the first time since a goalless draw with Elversberg on matchday 14. It’s also the first time they have lost back-to-back games this season. 

Including a league-high 17th occasion where they hit the woodwork in injury-time, Fraser Hornby was unable to capitalize on a couple of great opportunities to bring his side back in the game. The Scotsman will now miss next week's game against the second-from-bottom side Greuther Fürth as he was also cautioned for the fifth time this season.

Before the top three play their matches tomorrow, including Schalke's trip to Elversberg, Hannover climbed to third place as they extended their unbeaten run to five games. If results go against them on Sunday, Darmstadt will be seven points adrift of the last automatic promotion spot.