Schalke stroll to success

Jones: Added third

Schalke maintained their European ambitions with a comfortable 4-0 home victory over struggling Energie Cottbus.

The three points saw Schalke move to sixth place in the Bundesliga, while Cottbus remain in trouble in the relegation zone.

Schalke are hitting form when it counts and have now won five of their last six league games, with half-a-dozen matches remaining.

The home side wasted little time in taking the lead as Christian Pander opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a shot from outside the area after Cottbus failed to clear a corner.

Halil Altintop then doubled Schalke's advantage from range on 23 minutes as Cottbus - who sit in 17th position, one point from safety - struggled.

Scorer then turned provider on the hour-mark as Altintop played in Jermaine Jones, who added a third.

And with two minutes left on the clock striker Kevin Kuranyi - who is set to open discussions regarding a contract extension - wrapped up the points.