Spanish veteran Raul fired Schalke to second in the Bundesliga yesterday, just behind leaders Bayern Munich on goal difference, in a hard-fought 1-0 win at Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Just days after securing their ticket to the Europa League group phase with a 6-1 win over Helsinki, the side from Gelsenkirchen handed Gladbach their first defeat of the season.
Schalke have nine points from four games, equal with both Bayern and Werder Bremen, who both won their matches on Saturday.
Schalke’s Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar lacked the efficiency demonstrated against Helsinki last week, and it was former Real Madrid star Raul who came to the rescue only days after ending speculation he is about to leave the Royal Blues.
It was a goal in three stages, as the 34-year-old’s first two point-blank shots were saved before he finally hit the net after 64 minutes.
Earlier, Hanover missed the chance to go top after being held 1-1 by Mainz.
Hanover remain unbeaten this season, however, with eight points from four games, one point behind the leading trio.
Tunisian international Sami Allagui put visiting Mainz on the scoreboard after just two minutes before Mohammed Abdellaoue got the equaliser on the half-hour mark for the hosts, who this week also advanced to the Europa League group phase.
Bundesliga
Hannover 1 - Mainz 1
Schalke 1 - B. M’gladbach 0