Two early strikes from Didier Konan Ya earned Hannover 96 a 2-1 victory against 1. FC Köln which lifts Mirko Slomka's team into third, on a day when SV Werder Bremen were emphatic winners at VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Konan Ya struck on four and 15 minutes, his first effort a shot into the top corner from outside the area before doubling the lead by heading in Konstantin Rausch's cross. Die Roten are five points behind pacesetters Borussia Dortmund and 1. FSV Mainz 05, and a point ahead of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, all of whom are in action on Sunday.

SC Freiburg, meanwhile, recovered from a goal down to defeat 1. FC Kaiserslautern and climb to sixth, two places above Bremen. Thomas Schaaf's side triumphed 4-1 over third-bottom Mönchengladbach thanks to Marko Marin, Wesley, Aaron Hunt and Claudio Pizarro.

FC Schalke 04's disappointing domestic form continued with a goalless draw at Eintracht Frankfurt. The UEFA Champions League contenders, 3-1 victors against Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC on Wednesday, have won just once in nine league matches this season, a record which leaves them two points off the bottom. Elsewhere, 1. FC Nürnberg beat VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 at home.

Results

Standings

Photo gallery