HANNOVER, Germany (AP) - Promoted Hannover defeated injury-hit Hamburger SV 2-0 at home in the “little northern derby” to maintain its fine start to the Bundesliga on Friday.
Second-half goals from Martin Harnik and Ihlas Bebou, on his first home appearance for Hannover, gave Andre Breitenreiter’s side its third win from four games and maintained its unbeaten start.
Breitenreiter, who played for Hamburg in 71 Bundesliga games (12 goals) between 1994 and 1998, is unbeaten as Hannover coach across the top two divisions since taking over in March.
Though it means little at this stage, Hannover is top of the Bundesliga for the first time since Aug. 30, 1969.
Hamburg, which was missing forwards Bobby Wood, Nicolai Mueller, Filip Kostic and Aaron Hunt, was also mourning the death earlier Friday of former president Wolfgang Klein at the age of 76.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.