Artur Sobiech (l.) was on target for the Reds, grabbing his first league goal since December 2013
Artur Sobiech (l.) was on target for the Reds, grabbing his first league goal since December 2013

Reds cruise to derby win over HSV

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Hanover - Hannover 96 condemned Hamburger SV to a second successive defeat after easing to a 2-0 win in Matchday 3’s curtain-closer at the HDI Arena.

Same old HSV?

The damage was done inside the first 24 minutes through goals from Leon Andreasen and Artur Sobiech, after which the away side largely failed to muster any semblance of a threat. The Red Shorts remain without a goal to their names this term, while Hannover move up to the heady heights of third in the table.

Returning to his former club, Hamburg boss Mirko Slomka opted for a bold attacking line-up, with new arrivals Lewis Holtby and Julian Green both making their HSV debuts, and in the latter’s case, his top-flight bow. It was the home side that started the brighter, though, with Joselu wasting two good chances inside the first three minutes.

They were warnings that the HSV back line failed to heed, though, as just ten minutes later, the side with the worst defensive record in 2013/14 were behind, Andreasen powering in a header from Miiko Albornoz’s teasing cross. Midway through the first half the hosts' lead was extended, as Sobiech scrambled home Joselu’s cutback after wonderful work by Hiroshi Kiyotake.

Müller wide of the mark


A yellow card shown to Holtby summed up the visitors’ frustrations, although the 23-year-old did go close with two speculative efforts, while a Green attempt was blocked. The Red Shorts ended the half well, but were unable to reduce the arrears with Pierre-Michel Lasogga heading over.

USA international Green was withdrawn at the break for former Hannover loanee Artjoms Rudnevs, but it was Nicolai Müller that should have brought them back into the game, the man signed from 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the summer shanking horribly off target when clean through on goal.

HSV toothless


Rudnevs followed suit in squandering a golden chance to pull one back when he side-footed wide on 66 minutes before rattling the bar with a header from a Holtby cross as stoppage time approached Iin truth though, Slomka’s charges had never looked like being worthy of taking something from the encounter.

Hannover played out the rest of the game in comfort to maintain their 100 per cent run at home this term, while Hamburg must regroup ahead of next week’s clash against champions FC Bayern München.

Bernie Reeves

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