2. Bundesliga: Hannover back to winning ways against ten-man Düsseldorf

Benjamin Källman struck the decisive goal shortly after the restart, with the contest later swinging dramatically as Elias Egouli both scored and was sent off within a chaotic ten-minute spell of the second half.

The hosts made the perfect start, taking the lead after just four minutes. Daisuke Yokota combined neatly with Kolja Oudenne down the right before weaving past several defenders and finishing emphatically at the near post to hand Düsseldorf an early setback.

After the bright opening, Hannover dropped into a more conservative approach, allowing Düsseldorf plenty of the ball but little joy in the final third. The visitors struggled to break down a well-organised home side, and the first half fizzled out with Hannover holding a slender advantage.

Hannover wasted no time in doubling their lead after the interval, mirroring their fast start to the match. Half-time substitute Elias Saad delivered a pinpoint cross to the far post, where the in-form Källman was on hand to tap home his 11th goal of the campaign. Düsseldorf responded almost immediately, however, as a dangerous Florent Muslija free kick from the flank was met by Egouli, who rose highest to head past Nahuel Noll and reduce the deficit to 2-1.

The momentum swung again in the 58th minute when Egouli went from scorer to villain, receiving a second yellow card for tripping Noel Aseko Nkili inside the penalty area. Hannover were handed a golden opportunity to put the game beyond doubt, but Boris Tomiak squandered the chance from the spot, firing his penalty wide of the post while offering Düsseldorf a brief lifeline.

Hannover continued to press for a third, with substitute Benedikt Pichler going close on more than one occasion, yet the killer blow never arrived. It mattered little in the end, as the hosts managed the closing stages comfortably against ten men to secure all three points.

The victory lifts Christian Titz’s side up to fifth place and helps erase the disappointment of last week’s defeat in Kaiserslautern. For Düsseldorf, it was another frustrating afternoon, with Markus Anfang’s men slipping to 16th and remaining firmly embroiled in the relegation battle.