FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Hertha Berlin strengthened its grip on third place in the Bundesliga and a direct berth in the Champions League with a 2-0 win over Schalke on Friday.
Vedad Ibisevic and Niklas Stark scored in either half to end Hertha's 14-match winless streak against Schalke stretching back nearly 10 years.
Coming off two straight wins, Schalke would have overtaken Hertha with a win but now falls four points behind and could drop further when the weekend is over.
Ibisevic collected a short pass from Genki Haraguchi to drive home in the 42nd. Defender Stark rose high unchallenged at the near post to meet a corner and head into the far side of the net in the 65th.
Ibisevic and Tolkga Cigerci missed great chances for Hertha, which also hit the crossbar.
