Schalke stretch lead over Mönchengladbach
Sunday, April 1, 2012
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FC Schalke 04 moved three points clear of fourth-placed VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
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FC Schalke 04 strengthened their hold on an automatic UEFA Champions League berth with a 1-1 draw at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, after VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach suffered a 2-1 defeat at Hannover 96.
Schalke travelled to Hoffenheim having recorded three successive league wins but they fell behind to Sejad Salihović's first-half penalty. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar levelled from the spot with ten minutes remaining, however, to move the Royal Blues three points clear of fourth-placed Mönchengladbach – though they trail leaders Borussia Dortmund by nine.
Meanwhile, Hannover put Thursday's UEFA Europa League loss to Club Atlético de Madrid behind them to climb up to fifth. Mame Diouf continued his rich vein of form by netting his seventh goal in as many games after Dider Konan Ya had given the hosts the lead.
Norwegian defender Håvard Nordtveit reduced the arrears with 12 minutes remaining, but it was not enough to stop Mönchengladbach slumping to back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season.
