Schalke maintain unbeaten run

Lewis Holtby celebrates Schalke's second

Schalke extended their unbeaten start to the season with victory at Greuther Furth, who lost for the second time in a row at home.

Julian Draxler put the Royal Blues in front early in the second half with a stunning effort from distance and Lewis Holtby added the second in the dying stages of the match.

The win lifts Schalke level on points with local rivals Borussia Dortmund, Hannover and Nurnberg, who are all two points adrift of early-season pacesetters Bayern Munich.

Setting the tone for the game, Schalke created the first chance of the match in the 12th minute, which Draxler headed over.

The Royal Blues were more attack-minded while Furth, as they had done in their first two games against Bayern Munich and Mainz with mixed fortunes, concentrated on their defensive duties.

They did get rare chances on the break, the best of which was squandered by Edu, currently on loan from Schalke, whose shot was deflected over the crossbar in the 15th minute.

Klaas Jan Huntelaar should have put Schalke in front just before the break, but he missed the target from an excellent position after good work from Jermaine Jones to make room for the Dutchman.

Draxler broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half with a goal which was worth the admission price.

He cut in from the wing and unleashed a shot from almost 30 yards out which left Max Grun in the Furth goal no chance.

There was no looking back for Schalke, who never appeared in danger of throwing away their lead, even though Furth started to attack more.

The second goal in the 88th minute ended any hopes the home side had of snatching an equaliser.

Holtby started and finished the move, sending Tranquillo Barnetta into the penalty area to the left and then ghosting in at the far post to get on the end of the former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder's cross and lift the ball into the roof of the net from close range.

There was time left for Jefferson Farfan to hit the post as Schalke finished with a flourish.

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