STUTTGART, Nov 12 (SW) - Stuttgart appear to have put last season's disappoinment behind them as they went top of the Bundesliga on Sunday with a 2-1 victory away to Hannover.

It was the hosts, though, who got off to the better start and they took the lead in the 13th minute when Jan Rosenthal found the back of the net, and the carried that lead all the way to the half-time break.

But Stuttgart came out with a purpose in the second half and quickly found an equalizer on 49 minutes through Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Brazilian talisman Cacau then fired the visitors in front five minutes later with a fine finish, and they would not relinquish the lead despite having Hitzlsperger sent off late on.

Stuttgart now enjoy a one-point edge over both Werder Bremen and Schalke at the top of the table.