Bundesliga wrap: Huntelaar double fires Schalke to victory

Schalke defeated Wolfsburg 4-0 at home on Sunday to keep pace with the Bundesliga leaders, as Hannover held off Stuttgart to win 4-2.

Spanish veteran Raul opened the scoring for home side Schalke 10 minutes into the match at the Veltins-Arena, tapping home from close range following Jefferson Farfan’s corner.

Netherlands international Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it 2-0 just five later, guiding home a shot after being played in by Christian Fuchs.

Joel Matip claimed Schalke’s third goal four minutes into the second half, collecting Kyriakos Papadopoulos’ flicked header from a corner and back-heeling the ball into the back of the net.

Huntelaar made it 4-0 with his second goal in 72nd minute, heading home from a Fuchs delivery.

Victory leaves Schalke fourth on the table, five points back from leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Wolfsburg meanwhile are eighth, seven points outside the Europa League qualification places.

Also on Sunday, Hannover beat Stuttgart 4-2 at home.

Hosts Hannover led by half-time at the AWD-Arena thanks to goals from Karim Haggui and Mame Biram Diouf.

Christian Pander made it 3-0 less than 60 seconds into the second half, with Lars Stindl adding a fourth on 73 minutes.

Martin Harnik got one back for Stuttgart a minute after Stindl’s goal, and Shinji Okazaki bagged another for the visitors to make it 4-2 with 12 minutes still to play.

Despite the quick-fire goals, Stuttgart proved unable to mount a comeback in the time remaining.

Defeat leaves Stuttgart ninth, eight points and two places back from Hannover, who are seventh.