Four-goal Hannover too good for Nürnberg

Hannover 96 are up to third in the Bundesliga after a 4-1 win against 1. FC Nürnberg on what was a mixed night for Germany's UEFA Europa League quartet.

Mirko Slomka's team, beginning the match level on points with their opponents, were three to the good by the 52nd minute courtesy of goals from Lars Stindl, Szabolcs Huszti and Didier Ya Konan. Ya Konan's second (64) extended Die Roten's lead, before Timothy Chandler reduced the visitors' arrears.

Hannover's fellow European competitors, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, also triumphed. Sascha Lewandowski's side prevailed 3-1 at FC Augsburg, who are still seeking their first league victory of the campaign. There was no such joy, however, for VfB Stuttgart and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, who, like Leverkusen and Hannover, return to continental action next week.

Stuttgart, also without a win in 2012/12, lost 3-0 at home to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, while ten-man Mönchengladbach drew 2-2 with Hamburger SV, Álvaro Dominguez (90+1) salvaging a point for a team who had Martin Stranzl sent off eight minutes into the second half. Elsewhere, SV Werder Bremen recorded a 2-1 success at SC Freiburg.