Hannover got off to the quick start. After just five minutes, Joselu glanced a near-post header off the crossbar and Timo Horn's shoulder into the back of the net to give the visitors an early lead.

Having drawn 0-0 six times this season, Cologne needed a rare goal. After a poor defensive header from Salif Sane, Anthony Ujah provided it, heading past Ron-Robert Zieler for his seventh of the season and Cologne's first goal at home in over 363 minutes.

The game grew more and more aggressive and players began to fly into their challenges, as the result remained in the balance.

Dominic Maroh nearly slid home from close range in the opening period of the second half, as the hosts, encouraged by a loud and defiant home crowd, sought the lead. And Horn had to stay alert to deny first Ceyhun Gülselam and then Hannover captain Lars Stindl.

With the game truly end to end, Zieler was called into action - saving from Slawomir Peszko and then bravely to deny Osako. Ujah, who looked determined to win the game on his own, shot from long range before wining a free kick right on the edge of the area - Matthias Lehmann couldn't beat Zieler though.

There was to be no late drama in front of goal, although Hannover's new-signing Joao Pereira did pick up a second yellow card in stoppage time. The result leaves Hannover one point ahead of Cologne, which translates into three spots in the middle of the table.