BERLIN (AP) - Hannover boosted its chances of avoiding Bundesliga relegation by holding on for a 3-2 win at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
“It’s not done, but it’s a huge step,” Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner said.
Poor defending allowed the visitors to score in the second minute, when Leon Andreasen’s header from Christian Pander’s cross sent the ball inside the far post.
Martin Lanig equalized from close range 11 minutes later, but Lars Stindl restored Hannover’s lead in the 20th, when Pander again provided the cross.
Didier Ya Konan made it 3-1 nine minutes later after some good play from Andreasen.
Andreasen hit the post and Szabolcs Huszti struck the crossbar early in the second half as Hannover sought to secure the result. Frankfurt defender Alexander Madlung was also forced to make a goal-line clearance.
Alexander Meier pulled one back in the 68th, but the home side couldn’t equalize in a bad-tempered end to the game.
With three games remaining, Hannover joined Frankfurt eight points clear of the relegation zone. Their rivals all have a game in hand with the rest of the 31st round of games still to be played.
Frankfurt missed the chance to secure Bundesliga survival, but both sides can do so next weekend.
“We still have it in our own hands. Why should we be nervous?” Madlung asked.
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