With a 2-1 victory, Schalke 04 have climbed up into the third spot in the Bundesliga. Hosts Cologne however still have to wait for their first win this season and remain at the bottom of the table.

Jefferson Farfan put Schalke ahead in the second minute of the match but only four minutes later, Cologne's Lukas Podolski netted the equalizer. Cologne was caught cold just after half time when Levan Kobiashvili struck again for Schalke. Podolski remained a force to be reckoned with but only too often he found himself without the backup he would have needed to really make a difference.

"I was very concerned that last half hour, but I'm happy we managed the pressure," said Schalke coach Felix Magath after the game. "It's very nice that we now are in third place."

Cologne now find themselves at the bottom of the table without a single win this season and four defeats out of five games. For the first 45 minutes, Cologne was the stronger side, but in the second half failed to score the equalizer despite several chances by Podolski and Maniche.

No goals in Bremen

Earlier on Sunday, Hanover held Werder Bremen to a goalless draw. Hanover's substitute goalie Florian Fromlowitz, who stood in for Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, singlehandedly denied the hosts on half a dozen occasions.

In a lackluster performance hosts Bremen lacked the precision to break down the disciplined Hanover squad.

"A lot was missing from our game today," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said. "There were some chances and a goal would have settled us, but we didn't score and as a result we lacked the calm and assurance we needed."

ai/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Mark Rossman