Joel Matip and Jefferson Farfan scored in each half as Schalke beat
Cologne 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday to stay on course for a
Champions League spot.
Schalke's sixth straight home victory without conceding a
goal gave Felix Magath's third-place team 45 points, three behind
Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich and six points ahead of
Hamburger SV.
Eintracht Frankfurt played Freiburg later Sunday.
"We were patient and the players knew that we would get our
chances," Magath said. "We work for our wins, that's what we can do
right now. We have a young team and we are not able to play
spectacular football."
Schalke, as in many previous matches, had the upper hand in a
largely dour display, but took its chances while giving very little
awat at the back.
Matip, an 18-year-old defensive midfielder, headed in a free
kick taken by Lukas Schmitz in stoppage time of the first half for
his second Bundesliga goal.
Jefferson secured the victory in the 81st minute, connecting
with a pass from Kevin Kuranyi to score from close range.
On Saturday, Bayern Munich rallied to beat Borussia Dortmund
3-1 and move within a goal of Bayer Leverkusen, which capitalized
on two goalkeeping errors to beat defending champion Wolfsburg 2-1
and remain undefeated.
Bayern and Leverkusen both have 48 points and have scored 48
goals, but Leverkusen has conceded one less goal.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored his first Bundesliga goals,
notching two in three minutes to give Hamburger SV a 3-1 win in
Stuttgart. Werder Bremen thrashed Hannover 5-1 and Bochum beat
Hoffenheim 2-1. Last-place Hertha Berlin drew 1-1 with Mainz.
