Ailton strike spurs on Schalke
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Article summary
Ailton was on target as FC Schalke 04 came from behind to cut FC Bayern München's lead at the summit.
Article body
By Mark Bennett
FC Schalke 04 came from behind to cut FC Bayern München's lead at the top of the Bundesliga to two points, while Hannover 96 and VfB Stuttgart drew.
Ailton winner
Schalke made it nine wins in ten games against DSC Arminia Bielefeld but had to recover from Rüdiger Kauf giving the visitors a 20th-minute lead. But Schalke soon hit back and goals from Levan Kobiashvili and Ailton put the home team in the driving seat before the break.
Dammeier denied
The visitors came into the fixture on a four-game winning streak themselves and showed why as they fought back in the second half. Midfield player Detlev Dammeier had an excellent chance to regain parity with a penalty on 55 minutes but Frank Rost turned his effort around the post to keep Schalke in second and close the gap to Bayern, who defeated 1. FSV Mainz 05 yesterday.
Stuttgart rise
Stuttgart lost ground though and now lie three points behind Schalke after a goalless draw against Hannover. The UEFA Cup contenders do move up a place to third though, following VfL Wolfsburg's 3-2 defeat against Hertha BSC Berlin yesterday, while Hannover remain fifth.
