Goals from Jefferson Farfan and Kevin Kuranyi gave Schalke a 2-0 win at Arminia Bielefeld, their first victory in three matches.

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Among the pre-season favourites for the title, Schalke have endured a frustrating campaign but the win moved them up to seventh place on 40 points with eight matches remaining.

Schalke, who sacked coach Fred Rutten last week, grabbed the lead on the stroke of halftime when defender Christian Pander whipped in a fierce cross from the left for Peruvian Farfan to head home.

Kuranyi added the second deep in second-half stoppage time from close range.

On Saturday leaders Hertha Berlin, on 49 points, host Borussia Dortmund. Champions Bayern Munich travel to Wolfsburg with the teams locked in second place, a point off the top.

Hamburg, also on 48, take on fifth-placed Hoffenheim.