Ailton spurs Schalke comeback
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Article summary
Ailton scored a hat-trick as FC Schalke 04 kept up the pressure on Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München.
Article body
By Mark Bennett
Brazilian striker Ailton scored a hat-trick as FC Schalke 04 came from behind to win 3-1 at VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and keep the pressure on Bundesliga leaders FC Bayern München.
Fortunate third
Seeking his second title in two seasons after his success with Werder Bremen last term, the 31-year-old scored a crucial equaliser on the stroke of half-time to cancel out former Schalke player Jörg Böhme's 38th-minute penalty. He blasted his side into the lead midway through the second period before sealing his hat-trick with a mis-hit shot that ballooned over goalkeeper Kasey Keller and into the net.
Hertha halted
The win takes Schalke back level on points with Bayern, although the Munich side have a substantially better goal difference. VfB Stuttgart are still six points adrift but moved up to fifth as they halted Hertha BSC Berlin's eleven-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 win at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion. Another Brazilian striker, Cacau, scored the only goal of the game on ten minutes as Stuttgart set about leapfrogging their opponents, who dropped to seventh.
