Hoffenheim ended their four-game losing streak with a win over Hannover to climb to seventh in the Bundesliga standings.
Carlos Eduardo grabbed Hoffenheim's first goal of 2010 after 35 minutes and Sejad Salihovic doubled their lead from the penalty spot five minutes before the interval.
Arouna Kone made things interesting by pulling one back for Hannover 12 minutes after the break but the equaliser was not forthcoming.
Hannover's struggles continued as their losing run stretched to six matches. They have picked up just one point in nine games since the suicide of Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke in November.
The first chance of the game came for the visitors after 25 minutes when Elson sent Jiri Stajner away down the right, but the Czech striker did not connect cleanly and his effort went wide.
Hoffenheim finally ended their scoring drought 10 minutes later. Chinedu Obasi worked his way down the left side and then passed over to Carlos Eduardo, who struck a fine left-footed volley home from the edge of the area.
The hosts doubled the lead five minutes later after being awarded a penalty when Christian Schulz took down Carlos Eduardo on the right side of the area. Salihovic stepped up to power the spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.
Hoffenheim nearly finished off the game 12 minutes after the break but Vedad Ibisevic shot just wide from the edge of the area.
Hannover's new acquisition Kone halved the deficit seconds later, unleashing a first-time blast which flew in off the far post.
Hoffenheim were the better team over the rest of the game, with Salihovic sending a free-kick just over after 65 minutes and Ibisevic missing by inches nine minutes later.
The third goal did not materialise, but Ralf Rangnick's side had already done enough to secure the three points.
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