Schalke 04 ended a run of three Bundesliga games without a win by cruising to a 3-1 victory over Hoffenheim in Gelsenkirchen.
Both teams were keen to get onto the front foot in the early stages, but it was Schalke who found the crucial opener in the 12th minute when Christian Fuchs met Marco Hoger's cross with a firm volley to hand his side the advantage.
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Schalke grew in confidence after breaking the deadlock, and they came close to scoring a second when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting sprinted past a couple of challenges before slicing his effort just wide.
Oliver Baumann made one save from Max Meyer to prevent Hoffenheim from falling further behind, but he was powerless to prevent the midfielder from finding the back of the net from close range late in the first half after Choupo-Moting had played the perfect through ball into the box.
It took the hosts less than 10 second-half minutes to find their third goal of the afternoon as the influential Choupo-Moting evaded two Hoffenheim defenders before teeing up Meyer for the second time.
Roberto Di Matteo's side were comfortable in possession for long spells as Hoffenheim struggled to find a way back into the match.
The visitors would reduce the deficit late on when Kevin Volland fired home from the edge of the box after being picked out by Adam Szalai, but Schalke protected their advantage in the closing stages to boost their Champions League bid.
Callum Mulvihill
