Rashica goal gives Werder the win in Hannover

Hannover 0-1 Werder Bremen
Goals: 0-1 Rashica (33')

Hannover barely laid a glove on Werder in a decidedly one-sided first half. Michael Esser did well to keep the score goalless with a string of saves to deny Martin Harnik, Nuri Sahin and Rashica, but the Hannover goalkeeper’s resistance was eventually broken just past the half-hour. Max Kruse picked out Harnik, whose clever back-heeled attempt drew another smart stop from Esser, but he could only parry and Rashica had the simple task of turning home the loose ball. Maximilian Eggestein went within a whisker of adding a second on the stroke of half time.

Bremen had given precious little away defensively, but were almost undone within seconds of the restart. Hendrik Weydandt found loan signing Nicolai Müller, who blazed over under pressure from Werder defender Niklas Mosander. Bremen began to reassert their authority on the contest, albeit without seriously threatening until the 76th minute when goalscorer Rashica drew a diving stop from Esser. Some last-ditch defending prevented Werder substitute Josh Sargent from bringing up what would have been his third Bundesliga goal, while some further Esser heroics kept Hannover's fading hopes alive. The Reds almost nicked an unlikely point in added time, but Müller's header was cleared off the line by Philipp Bargfrede.

Watch: Josh Sargent started his Bundesliga adventure with a bang!

• Bremen ended a three-match winless run with victory in Hannover.
• Hannover have won only twice all season in the Bundesliga, and have scored just seven times at home in 2018/19.
• Werder have not lost after taking the lead in games this season (W7, D1).
• Rashica's two Bundesliga goals in 2018/19 have come away from home.
• Eintracht Frankfurt loanee Müller made his first Bundesliga start since 26 September 2018.
• Sargent has scored two goals in his first 55 minutes of Bundesliga football.

Hannover: Esser – Akpoguma, Anton (c), Wimmer – Sorg (Felipe 87'), Walace, Schwegler (Fossum 72'), Albornoz – Müller, Wood (Jonathas 63'), Weydandt
Subs: Sahin-Radlinger, Bakalorz, Ostrzolek, Dierßen
Out: Bebou (thigh), Füllkrug (knee), Haraguchi (Asian Cup), Hübers (knee), Maina (knee), Elez (knock), Prib (knee), Sarenren Bazee (shin), Asano (muscular)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter

Bremen: Pavlenka – Gebre Selassie, Langkamp, Moisander, Augustinsson – Sahin (Möhwald 86'), M. Eggestein, Klaassen – Harnik (Bargfrede 63'), Kruse (c), Rashica (Sargent 80')
Subs: Kapino, Pizarro, Veljkovic, Friedl
Out: Bartels (Achilles), Jacobsen (adductor), Johannsson (ankle), Osako (Asian Cup), Schmid (military service)
Coach: Florian Kohfeldt

Click to recap Hannover vs. Bremen as it happened!