Hertha 2 - 2 Gladbach
Frankfurt 1 - 1 Stuttgart

Hannover 96 vs 1. FC Kaiserslautern
18 : 7 shots
9 : 1 corners
8 : 10 crosses
57% : 43% ball possesions
49% : 51% +challenges
20 : 25 fouls
5 : 1 offsides

Most shots:
96: C. Dabrowski (3)
Stuttgart: B. Sanogo (2)

Most setups:
96: M. Tarnat (5)
Stuttgart: B. Sanogo (3)

Most contacts:
96: M. Tarnat (85)
Stuttgart: E. Skela (65)

Most won challenges:
96: P. Mertesacker (63%)
Stuttgart: H. Lembi (70%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

The Reds have won their first home game under the new coach Peter Neururer 5-1 (2-0) against relegation threatened 1. FC Kaiserslautern in front of 31,433 spectators in the AWD-Arena. Wolfgang Wolf gave his failed debut as the new Lautern head coach. Michael Tarnat gave 96 a 2-0 halftime lead (13th, 26th.). After the break German international Thomas Brdaric scored twice (62nd, 73rd) when Iranian international Vahid Hashemian scored the final goal in the 83rd minute of play. Boubacar Sanog shot the only goal on Kaiserslautern's side.

Hannover's head coach Peter Neururer changed the starting formation after their last match against Stuttgart at two positions, replacing midfielder Chavdar Yankov with Altin Lala who was back after suspension (5th yellow card), and Thomas Brdaric after suffering back injury playing upfront, leaving Jiri Stajner on the substitution's bench.

Kaiserslautern replaced injured goalkeeper Ernst with Macho between the posts. Reuter, Hertzsch and Mikic were playing for Schoenheim, Blank and Ried. Playmaker Ervin Skela had to play on the full back position.

The Reds jumped out of the blocks quickly and were the more dangerous team in the early going with first on-goal action through Hanno Balitsch 's header after two minutes from a 10metre distance with a great save by Lautern's Macho. It was Macho again who has shown a great save in the 8th minute after a header from Cristoph Dabrowski. Four minutes later 96-striker Michael Delura unleashed a fierce shot from distance that Macha acrobatically parried over the bar.

But Macho messed up the following scene: Delura swung over a free-kick from the left and keeper Macho's miscued parry landed in front of Michael Tarnat who has shown a faster reaction than Lautern's Lembi and finally scored from 5metres into the right corner (1-0, 13th).

96 kept on moving. It was again a free kick from Delura from the the left wing that has found Tarnat who were finishing from 5metres (2-0, 26th). It was Tarnat's 4th season tally.

The only chance on Kaiserslautern's side came through Zandi from 14metres into Robert Enke's arms (40th).

Half time 2-0

After the break The Reds were waiting on counter attacks or standard situations against a weak FCK-defence. The match was decided after a corner kick from the left by Delura when Brdaric headed home from 4 metres (3-0, 62nd) leaving no chance for Macho. Substitute Jiri Stajner could have increased the score in the 66th after a great pass from Hashemian, but the Chzech international failed at the outrushing Macho.

Three minutes later Kaiserslautern came to their only goal in this match after a pass from turkish Halil Altintop to striker Boubacar Sanogo who chipped over Enke from 14 metres into the net. That goal happened because there was a misunderstanding between Enke and Tarnat (3-1, 69th).

A perfect counter attack through a wide throw from Enke to Stajner on the left wing setup the 4th score for 96: Stajner sent a brilliant pass through Lautern's defence to Brdaric who has beaten Bellinghausen and tucked the ball past Macho near the left post (4-1, 73rd, picture). Now The Red Devils were given up.

In the 76th Bulgarian international Yankov tested Macho (setup by Stajner) who saved this shot. In the 83rd a corner kick by Tarnat has found German international Per Mertesacker whose header was parried by Macho, but Hashemian took the rebound and fired home from 4metres to the final result 5-1.

It was the highest score for Hannover 96 since promotion when Peter Neururer were celebrating his perfect home debut. The Reds moved to the 11th spot in the table and are facing Borussia Dortmund next Saturday. Kaiserslautern couldn't take a turn with their new coach Wolfgang Wolf remaining the last spot in the table.

STATISTICS

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski (67. Yankov) - Delura (63. Stajner), Hashemian, Brdaric (78. Schröter)

1. FC Kaiserslautern: Macho - Lembi (33. Bellinghausen), Pletsch, Skela, Hertzsch - Reuter, Engelhardt , Zandi (82. Riedl) - Sanogo, Halil Altintop, Mikic (60. Seitz)

Goals:
1-0 Tarnat (13., Delura)
2-0 Tarnat (26., Delura)
3-0 Brdaric (62., Delura)
3-1 Sanogo (69., Halil Altintop)
4-1 Brdaric (73., Stajner)
5-1 Hashemian (83., Mertesacker)

Referee: Dr. Felix Brych (Munich)
Attendance: 31.443
Bookings: Yankov / Hertzsch

96-head coach Peter Neururer announces 18-man roster for the match against Kaiserslautern:

Enke, Juric, Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Vinicius, Tarnat, Lala, Balitsch, Dabrowski, Yankov, Sousa, Schröter, Delura, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian and Idrissou.


Altin Lala is back in the roster after suspension (5 yellow cards).

These could be the possible lineups:

Hannover 96:
Enke – Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat – Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski- Brdaric, Hashemian, Delura

1. FC Kaiserslautern:
Ernst – Hertzsch (Lembi), Pletsch (Mettomo), Schönheim – Riedl, Engelhardt, Zandi, Blank, Skela – Altintop, Sanogo

96-defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Stuttgart:

"A draw away from home is always good, even better when it's in Stuttgart..."

www.Cherundolo.de

VfB Stuttgart - Hannover 96
9 : 12 shots
4 : 7 corners
10 : 13 crosses
50% : 50% possesions
54% : 46% +challenges
9 : 19 fouls
8 : 1 offsides

Most shots:
96: M. Delura (5)
Stuttgart: J.D. Tomasson (4)

Most setups:
96: H. Balitsch (4)
Stuttgart: T. Hitzsperger (3)

Most contacts:
96: S. Cherundolo (101)
Stuttgart: F. Meira (73)

Most won challenges:
96: D. Zuraw (90%)
Stuttgart: A. Hinkel (86%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

New head coach Peter Neururer celebrates his 200th Bundesliga game with his first match in the new job for Hannover. 96 take home one point from the 2 all draw with VfB Stuttgart (0:1). Neururer's former pupil of Bochum days, Iranian international Vahid Hashemian (picture), scores his first Bundesliga goal this season (58min), equalising Stuttgart's early lead through Jon Dahl Tomasson (11min). The Dane's joy about his second lead goal is short-lived (68min), as Bulgarian international Chavdar 'Chak' Yankov levels the result one minute later (69min) for the Reds.

Peter Neururer, the new head coach replacing Ewald Lienen, changed his squad on several positions. Michael Delura moved to forward position from midfield, joining Hashemian and Jiri Stajner. Chavdar Yankov as central key player replaced captain Altin Lala, serving fifth-yellow suspension. Thomas Brdaric was confined to spectator status, suffering from back problems. Stuttgart's coaching legend Giovanni Trappatoni sent on Jesper Groenkjaer for Christian Tiffert, and Silvio Meissner for Christian Gentner.

The crowd of 36,000 watch a plodding start in Stuttgart's chilly Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadium, with first on-goal action through Stajner's wide header after nine minutes. But the first effort for the home side proves to be successful only two minutes later. Swiss defender Ludovic Magnin plays one-two with Thomas Hitzlsperger, Magnin's cross from the left lands between Per Mertesacker and Christoph Dabrowski at the near post, finding Jon Dahl Tomasson. The Dane pile-drives the ball home from seven metres with a sideways bicycle kick, leaving Robert Enke no chance for a save. Midfielder Jesper Groenkjaer leaves the pitch injured minutes later, making way for Stuttgart's Brazilian striker Cacau. The Reds need most of the first half to stomach the hosts' early lead, and only manage piercing singular efforts as their method of choice to penetrate Stuttgart's solid defence. Hanno Balitsch grabs the ball at the centre line, hares down the pitch and tests Stuttgart keeper Timo Hildebrand with a 22-metre-hammer (30min). American defender Steven Cherundolo shakes off his marker on the right, dribbling to the right edge of the box, but his distance effort only brushing the crossbar (33min). The two last efforts of the first half belong to the home side: Hitzlsperger's shot is deflected by Enke (44min), Thomasson's effort from 13 metres in a one-to-one situation with Enke goes safe.

Half time 0:1

Hannover 96 drew 2-2 with VfB Stuttgart on the road as Peter Neururer gave his debut for 96as the new head coach. Hannover equalised two times through goals by Iranian international Vahid Hashemian (1:1 - 57th) and Bulgarian international Chavdar Yankov (2:2 - 68th).

After the interval both sides are finally up to speed. The home side create their first opportunity with Hitzlsperger's shot from 23 metres only hitting the crossbar(48min). But the Reds want revenge and an equaliser, and their increased efforts are rewarded. Substitution Silvio Schroeter's effort on goal ends up with unmarked Vahid Hashemian. The Iranian international is surprised, but keeps his cool, netting the ball with a precise shot into the right hand corner (58min). Out of the blue Stuttgart take the lead again ten minutes later. Magnin sends a sharp cross into goalmouth from the left, Dariusz Zuraw fails to intercept, and Tomasson scores his second goal of the day (68min). But with a swift answer the Reds show morale, determination and team spirit: Mertesacker passes to Hashemian, Hashemian to Balitsch, who fools his marker and selflessly sends a precise cutting cross to 'Chak' Yankov, waiting unmarked in goalmouth to hammer the equaliser into the net (69.). Michael Delura saves the Reds from falling behind with a goal line clearance of Markus Babbel's header (77min), and creates another dangerous opportunity after a long run down the left wing with his tight-angle low shot that Hildebrand can only deflect with his foot (79min). Stuttgart demand a penalty decision of referee Peter Sippel in injury time, when Meißner goes down with Delura in the box trying to reach Magnin's dead ball kick. But the Bavarian official isn't having any of it.

Hannover share the spoils deservedly in their draw with Stuttgart, and celebrate Peter Neururer's debut for Hannover in his 200th Bundesliga match. Former pupil Vahid Hashemian from long-gone Bochum days seems to thrive under the new head coach. His first goal of the season hopefully shouldn't be his last. Michael Delura, Hanno Balitsch, and Silvio Schroeter after his long injury break, proved to be the pillars of the Reds' success.

STATISTICS

VfB Stuttgart: Hildebrand - Hinkel, Fernando Meira, Delpierre, Magnin - Meißner, Soldo - Groenkjaer, Hitzlsperger - Ljuboja, Tomasson - Coach: Trapattoni

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Balitsch, Dabrowski - Yankov - Delura, Stajner, Hashemian - Coach: Neururer

Goals:
1:0 Tomasson (11., Assist Magnin)
1:1 Hashemian (57., Assist Schroeter)
2:1 Tomasson (67., Assist Magnin)
2:2 Yankov (68., Assist Balitsch)

Substitutions: 16. Cacau for Groenkjaer, 46. Babbel for Delpierre - 46. Schroeter for Stajner, 76. Vinicius for Yankov, 85. Idrissou for Delura

Referee: Sippel
Attendance: 32,000
Cautions: Dabrowski, Delura, Vinicius

Cologne - Schalke 2:2
Dortmund - Hertha 2:0
Lautern - Nuremberg 1:3
Gladbach - Leverkusen 1:1
Mainz - Frankfurt 2:2
Bielefeld - Bayern 1:2
Bremen - Wolfsburg 6:1

96-head coach Ewald Lienen announces 18-man roster for the match against Stuttgart:

Enke, Juric, Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Vinicius, Tarnat, Balitsch, Dabrowski, Yankov, Schröter, Delura, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian and Idrissou.

Silvio Schröter is back from injury.

Hannover 96 will face Werder Bremen at home in the third round of the German FA Cup on Decemeber, Wednesday 21st at 19:00 CET.

The US defender Steven Cherundolo talks about his appereance for the US national team, the new coach and the match against Stuttgart:

"The new coach is there and the team seems to have accepted him very well..."

www.Cherundolo.de

96 left back Soren Halfar picked up a knee injury during the Oberliga match for the reserve team against Eintracht Nordhorn (0-0). Soren has torn cruciate knee ligaments and could miss six month. The 18-year-old talent has made 12 Bundesliga matches and was used on five occasions by Lienen this season as injuries ripped his squad apart.

Today Hannover 96 have won 2-0 against Netherland first league club Heracles Almelo 2-0 in friendly through goals by Darius Zuraw (8th) and Michael Delura (19th). Peter Neururer has given his debut as the new coach from 96.

Hannover 96: Juric - Dietwald (46. Melich), Vinicius, Zuraw (46. Großöhmichen), Tarnat (46. Halfar) - Balitsch (46. Weck), Lala, Dabrowski (46. Cutler) - Delura (58. Watson), Hahne (46. Montabell), Idrissou

Goals: 1:0 Zuraw (8.), 2:0 Delura (19.)

Attendance: 1,512

Today Hannover 96 faces Netherland first league club Heracles Almelo in friendly at the former Hannover 96 stadium "Eilenriedestadion" in Hannover, 19:00 CET. Tickets will be 5 EUR. The Netherlands are 15th in the table right now.

Hannover 96 dismissed their coach Ewald Lienen and assistant coach Michael Frontzeck today following a string of poor results in this Bundesliga season.

The new coach Peter Neururer will be presented today at the press conference at the AWD-Arena.

Hannover 96 thanks Ewald Lienen and Michael Frontzeck for a trustful cooperation through the last 57 games.

The US defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Mainz and his trip to Scotland on his website:

"It was a tough game against Mainz and it is a good example what happens, when you don't take advantage of your goal oppportunities..."

www.Cherundolo.de

Hannover 96 - FSV Mainz 05
18 : 10 shots
5 : 3 corners
16 : 6 crosses
55% : 45% possesions
48% : 52% +challenges
27 : 16 fouls
5 : 6 offsides

Most shots:
96: T. Brdaric (5)
Mainz: B. Auer (3)

Most setups:
96: M. Tarnat, T. Brdaric , J. Stajner, M. Delura (3 each)
Mainz: da Silva (3)

Most contacts:
96: S. Cherundolo (98)
Mainz: da Silva (67)

Most won challenges:
96: D. Zuraw (76%)
Mainz: N. Noveski (76%)

Source: IMP-Fussballdaten

Gladbach 0-0 Hamburg
Nuremberg 0-1 Stuttgart

After breathless finish Hannover share the spoils with Mainz Former Manchester City player Michael Tarnat holds on to one point for Hannover in the exciting 2-2 (0-1) home draw against FSV Mainz 05. The Reds dominate play in the first half but fall behind through Manuel Friedrich's header (31mins). Benjamin Auer puts the visitors further ahead (65mins), and 96 seem truly beaten. But in the last five minutes of the match plus injury time the Reds come back from two down to a well-deserved draw with goals from Thomas Brdaric (86mins, penalty) and Michael Tarnat (90+1mins).

96 head coach Ewald Lienen was more than happy to include four players, returning from injury trouble to the starting lineup. Wing-backs Steven Cherundolo and Michael Tarnat, and strikers Thomas Brdaric and Cameroon's Mo Idrissou fill the ranks, with Soeren Halfar, Chavdar Yankov, Hendrik Hahne and Vahid Hashemian dropping to the bench. Hanno Balitsch, Altin Lala and Christoph Dabrowski provide the midfield action. Guest coach Juergen Klopp saw no need to change the team from the Nuremberg 4:1 victory.

From the top the Reds show determination to secure a second home victory this season in a lively performance, creating three opportunities in the first eight minutes. Thomas Brdaric is stopped short of converting Jiri Stajner's steep cross by Mainz' keeper Dimo Wache (3mins). Mo Idrissou's header from Tarnat's mighty throw-in is no match for Wache either (7mins), and Christoph Dabrowski's distance effort goes wide of the right post (8mins). There is no space for Mainz to create any opportunities, and the visitors are lucky not to fall behind when another Tarnat's throw-in from the left finds Brdaric jumping for the header in goalmouth, but Wache parrying the ball before the ball connects with the striker's forehead (21mins). Mainz 05 have their first shot on goal a minute later, when Benjamin Weigelt's attempt from 25 metres is snuffed by Robert Enke. The Reds attack relentlessly, but Per Mertesacker's header goes wide only just (23mins), and Thomas Brdaric's effort from 15 metres in a one-to-one situation with Dimo Wache is cleared with help from the keeper's knee (26mins). Benjamin Auer's header goes safe past the right post (28mins), but Hannover miss the warning signs, Mainz creating one of their few opportunity three minutes later, and scoring out of the blue. Manuel Friedrich nods Antonio da Silva's corner into the net from seven metres, leaving Enke not the slightest chance for a save (31mins). The Reds are shocked and lucky not to fall behind further, as Enke bends Petr Rumans header around the left post two minutes later. Mainz concentrate on preserving their one goal lead up to the interval.

Half time 0:1

Hannover return from the break with Vahid Hashemian and Michael Delura, replacing Idrissou and cautioned Altin Lala. And the Reds start the second half for all they are worth: US-boy Steven Cherundolo's thunderous dead ball kick from 27 metres is denied by quick-witted Wache (47mins), the Reds pick up the rebound and it is again Cherundolo who, far out from the left goal line, serves Thomas Brdaric in goalmouth with a precise cross, but the German's stabbing shot towards the far post is neutralised by keeper Wache. Hannover keeps pounding on the visitors' goal: Hashemian's point-blank shot from three metres goes skywards from offside position (53mins), Balitsch's angled effort from 14 metres is held by Wache (54mins) and Brdaric's back-headed header from Stajner's cross goes wide over the crossbar (55mins). Mainz need a good fifteen minutes to regroup, but their first offensive action puts them further ahead. Benjamin Auer picks up Michael Thurk's through-ball and leaves Enke no chance for a save with a hammer shot from 17 metres into the left corner of the net (65mins), disputably from offside position. Da Silva misses the chance to tie up the three points result for Mainz, the midfielder firing a shot in a one-to-one situation with Enke, but the crossbar saving for Hannover. Mainz pull back to their box, trying to retain their comfortable lead, Hannover desperately trying to crack open their defenses. Hannover strikes lucky when Christian Demirtas deflects Stajner's attempt at a cross with his hand, and referee Gagelmann points to the spot. Thomas Brdaric converts the resulting penalty with force (86mins), and Hannover return to the match with angry resolve to the crowd's jubilant cheers. Opponent's coach Juergen Klopp tries to freeze the result interrupting the flow of play with two last-minute substitutions, but his plan backfires: Hannover are awarded with one minute injury time. In a crucial, final assault all eleven 96 players including keeper Enke gather in and around Mainz's area. Cherundolo sends a free kick into the box, the ball breaking to Dariusz Zuraw who helps it somehow on to Tarnat, who in turn wallops the ball in from three metres (picture). The AWD Arena erupts in a roar of jubilance from relieved suspense. Tarnat starts on a long run down the pitch to the sideline, to celebrate frenetically with head coach Ewald Lienen, a fine gesture towards the coach.

The Reds earn a point with a lucky but well-deserved draw at home. The visitors turn the match topsy-turvy with their two goals, but Hannover return with angry resolve to level the result. It is once again Michael Tarnat's feat to bring the Reds back from a desperate situation, just like on match day one at home against Berlin. The Reds enjoy a fortnight's break from Bundesliga, before they play VfB Stuttgart down south. Ewald Lienen's squad will have to make do without their captain Altin Lala, who'll be serving fifth-yellow suspension.

STATISTICS

Hannover 96: Enke - Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Tarnat - Balitsch, Lala (46. Hashemian), Dabrowski - Stajner, Brdaric, Idrissou (46. Delura)

FSV Mainz 05: Wache - Demirtas, M. Friedrich, Noveski, Weigelt (89. Rose) - F. Gerber (81. D. Weiland), Pekovic, da Silva - Ruman, Thurk (90. Addo), Auer

Goals: 0:1 M. Friedrich (31., da Silva), 0:2 Auer (65. Thurk), 1:2 Brdaric (86., Handelfmeter), 2:2 Tarnat (90+2., Zuraw)

Bookings: Lala / Demirtas, Pekovic
Referee: Peter Gagelmann (Bremen)
Attendance: 35,433
Picture: O. Vosshage

The US defender Steven Cherundolo talks about the match against Mainz on his website:

"Regardless of the situation with our coach and our injury problems we have to win tomorrow... "

www.Cherundolo.de

96-head coach Ewald Lienen announces 18-man roster for the match against Mainz:

Enke, Juric, Cherundolo, Mertesacker, Zuraw, Vinicius, Tarnat, Halfar, Balitsch, Lala, Dabrowski, Yankov, Delura, Stajner, Brdaric, Hashemian, Hahne and Idrissou.

Three players are back from injury: left back Michael Tarnat, Thomas Brdaric and Mo Idrissou.