Schalke suffer new title setback

Berlin: Schalke’s German title hopes suffered a second successive setback on Saturday when they slumped to a shock 4-2 defeat at relegation-threatened Hanover.

The result, coming on the back of last week’s 2-1 loss to league leaders Bayern Munich, left Schalke a point behind the Bavarian giants, who can extend their lead to four points if they beat third-placed Bayer Leverkusen later on Saturday. Hanover, coached by former Schalke boss Mirko Slomka, went into the game without a win in the last month, but they led 2-0 at the break after an own-goal from Heiko Westermann and the first of a brace from Ivory Coast star Didier Konan Ya on the half-hour mark. Schalke pulled back to 2-2 within seven minutes at the start of the second half through an Edu Goncalves strike and a penalty from Croatian international Ivan Rakitic. Hanover, who are third from bottom of the table, restored their lead in the 80th minute through captain Hanno Balitsch before Konan Ya added a superb, solo goal in injury time. Schalke, seeking a first German title since 1958, have just four games left. Bayern Munich, on a high after knocking Manchester United out of Europe in mid-week, are still on course for a Bundesliga, Champions Leage and German Cup treble. Werder Bremen’s bid for Champions League qualification received a big boost when they thrashed Freiburg 4-0 and fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Mainz. Leverkusen currently occupy the third and final qualifying spot, with Dortmund a point back and Bremen now a point behind Dortmund. Stuttgart climbed to sixth place above Hamburg, who visit Bochum on Sunday, after winning 1-0 at bottom club Hertha Berlin. Polish international midfielder Adam Matuszczyk was on target twice for Cologne in a 2-0 victory at Hoffenheim that moved them further clear of the relegation zone. Bureau Report