Stuttgart slide averted

VfB Stuttgart ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 win against FC Hansa Rostock to move within a point of the leading pair.

Hapless Hansa
Matthias Sammer's side climbed above FC Bayern München into third thanks to the four-goal stroll, achieved through strikes from Silvio Meissner, Kevin Kuranyi, Cacau and Horst Heldt. René Rydlewicz missed a penalty for bottom club Hansa a minute before half-time with the score at 2-0.

Schalke comeback
UEFA Cup hopefuls Stuttgart sit a point behind leaders VfL Wolfsburg and FC Schalke 04, who came from behind to defeat Hamburger SV 2-1 in the other Sunday match.

Rangnick revival
Schalke's sixth straight victory since Ralf Rangnick took over looked an unlikely prospect after Stefan Beinlich had put Hamburg ahead just after the break. But Mike Hanke's 79th-minute leveller was followed by Brazilian Lincoln's winner two minutes later.