Source: CCTV.com

12-01-2008 09:58

VfB Stuttgart beat Schalke 2-0 on Sunday, to give Markus Babbel a great start to his new career as a Bundesliga coach.

Thomas Hitzlsperger (R) of VfB Stuttgart challenges Jermaine  Jones of Schalke 04 during their German Bundesliga soccer  match in Stuttgart November 30, 2008. REUTERS/Alex Grimm( GERMANY).

Schalke should have taken the lead in the first half when Kevin Kuranyi won a penalty, but Jens Lehman went low to his left to save Jefferson Farfan's effort. Stuttgart took control in the second half, and Mario Gomez wasted three good chances before Jan Simak's eye-catching strike set them on their way to the win. Simak ran on to a hopeful long pass and lobbed it over the keeper and into the top right corner for the 80th minute opener. Mario Gomez finished off another swift break a few minutes from time to secure Stuttgart's first win in six league games.

Turning to the standings, Hoffenheim stays at the top of the standings with 34 points. Bayern Munich is second, three points back.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund stands sixth, while Schalke and Stuttgart are ninth and tenth.