BERLIN (AP) – Klaas Jan Huntelaar’s hat trick helped Schalke to a 4-1 win over Mainz, while Bundesliga football leader Bayern Munich laboured over a 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin today.
Bayern also had a Dutchman to thank, with Arjen Robben’s 27th-minute strike enough for the defending champions to go provisionally ten points clear after 13 games.
Bayer Leverkusen routed Cologne 5-1 in the Rhine derby, Werder Bremen defeated Paderborn 4-0, and Augsburg came from behind to beat Hamburger SV 3-1 and climb provisionally fourth.
Schalke’s inconsistent season continued as they bounced back from Tuesday’s 5-0 defeat at Chelsea in the Champions League to go sixth, ahead of Hannover, who played Hoffenheim later.
“It was the best reaction we could give,” Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo said.
