Schalke go level with Bayern

Schalke moved level on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich tonight thanks to a 2-1 win over Hertha Berlin in the German capital.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Teemu Pukki scored the goals for the Royal Blues, with Adrian Ramos on target for the home side as all three goals were scored in the first half.

There were chances at both ends in the second 45 minutes, but Schalke held on for a win which takes them above local rivals Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach, and gives them the chance of leading the way at the midway stage of the season. Berlin, on the other hand, risk dropping into the bottom half of the table this weekend.

Huntelaar put Schalke in front with his 14th goal of the season in the 19th minute. He received the ball from Roman Hubnik's poor headed clearance and he left Thomas Kraft with no chance with an excellent left-footed shot.

Their lead lasted just six minutes, though, before Berlin's top goalscorer levelled with a near-post header from Raffael's corner. Pukki restored Schalke's lead just before the break with a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area into the corner of the goal, well out of the reach of Kraft.

Kraft did better to deny Huntelaar on the hour mark as Schalke threatened a third goal, only to then retreat and concentrate on defending for the last half hour of the game. Despite Berlin's efforts, there was no way through the Schalke defence, with Raffael and Pierre Lasogga both getting frustrated as they tried to create something.

On the break, Jose Manuel Jurado missed the chance to seal the win for Schalke in the 86th minute, but his miss from seven yards out did not prove costly as Huub Stevens' side held on for all three points at the Olympiastadion.

View the original article here

Mariners move level, Victory held

Central Coast Mariners moved level on points with A-League leaders Brisbane Roar thanks to a 2-0 victory over fierce rivals Newcastle Jets at Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford.

In a performance that delighted the 10,643 home fans, the Mariners led 1-0 at half-time courtesy of a 25th-minute Rostyn Griffiths strike, and they sealed the points when Matt Simon netted his fourth goal of the season just before the hour.

The lead was twice very nearly extended towards the end but the Jets were saved by the woodwork.

Bernie Ibini smashed a first-time shot against the bar following a good run and cross from Joshua Rose in the 65th minute and then, with time almost up, substitute Daniel McBreen saw his header also crash against the bar.

The win meant the Mariners have now gone seven matches without defeat, picking up 19 out of a possible 21 points.

Three points for Phoenix
Elsewhere, a late Ben Sigmund header earned Wellington Phoenix a 1-0 triumph over Perth Glory. The winner in the 85th minute was the only bright spot in an otherwise scrappy and often ill-tempered encounter at Westpac Stadium, where chances for either side were few and far between.

Phoenix finished the match with ten men after substitute Mirjan Pavlovic was sent off deep into stoppage time for cynically tackling Steve Pantelidis from behind.

Finally, Fabian Barbiero snatched an 82nd-minute equaliser as Adelaide United secured a 1-1 draw against Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium.

Victory looked set to take home all three points after Archie Thompson grabbed his fourth goal of the campaign just before the hour, but it was not to be as Barbiero ensured Mehmet Durakovic's men failed to hold a lead for the fourth time in ten outings.

View the original article here