It has been a topsy-turvy season for Eintracht Frankfurt, but the Eagles were able to get over their midweek defeat to soar clear of a dismal Hannover 96. In contrast, Hannover are still without a win, and continue their slide down the table.

The teams

Both teams came into the game off the back of convincing defeats, and there were changes aplenty. Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter would switch almost half of the site that had lost 1:3 in Mönchengladbach: the injured David Abraham was rested while Jetro Willems, Gelson Fernández, Nicolai Müller and Mijat Gaćinović were switched to the bench. In their place came Lucas Torro, Jonathan de Guzmán, Ante Rebić, Allan and Marco Russ.

For visitors Hannover, there were four changes. Matthias Ostrzolek, Kevin Wimmer and Linton Maina were all nursing knocks, and Marvin Bakalorz was benched. Miiko Albornoz, Felipe, Julian Korb and Iver Fossum all started.

Frankfurt take half-time lead, then double it

The hosts would make the better start at the Commerzbank-Arena, setting the standard for the rest of the game against a timid Hannover side. Die Adler went close after 18 eighteen minutes when a Torro header went narrowly wide, but for all their energy were unable to create anything of note in the final third.

That was the case until the 36th minute, when Frankfurt finally opened the scoring. It was a goal made in France, with Sebastian Haller providing the cross and Evan Ndicka the finish from close range.

The goal was the signal to work through the gears, and Frankfurt doubled their lead as the clock leaked over the allotted 45 minutes. Again it was Haller the provider, his pass finding Rebić, who hld off his marker before drilling the ball past the helpless Michael Esser in the Hannover goal.

Convincing victory

Hannover emerged after the break with more resolve, but this was quickly broken as Hütter's men resumed their tight stranglehold on the contest. Sitting back on their lead, they let their opponents do all the running.

The tactic paid off. A minute before the hour, Haller again was in the thick of the action, finding Rebić who hared towards the Hannover goal. The Croatian's smart cross was perfect for de Guzman, and the Dutchman put away the easiest of chances into them empty net.

The one bright moment for Breitenreiter's side was provided by debutant Muslija, who turned in Bobby Wood's cross to at least get the team from Lowe Saxony on the board. Frankfurt were not finished however, and de Guzman this time turned provider, setting up substitute Luka Jović to send the Eagles and their fans soaring.

Frankfurt sub Luka Jović scores his team's fourth goal, and Hannover 'keeper Michael Esser can only watch

In midweek, Eintracht are in European action, as they take a precarious trip to Rome to take on Lazio.

Result: Eintracht Frankfurt 4 (Ndicka 36., Rebić 45.+1., de Guzman 59., Jović 89.) Hannover 96 1 (Muslija 86.)