Schalke go top with a comfortable win in Hannover

Two African strikers helped Schalke to climb to the top of 2. Bundesliga.

Moussa Sylla struggled for goals ever since the opening matchday victory over Hertha Berlin, but he bagged a brace in the first 15 minutes here. Hannover’s young goalkeeper Nahuel Noll had a tough start when he failed to clear Mertcan Ayhan’s cross before Virgil Ghiță came to his rescue.

And, in the third minute, he had to take the ball out of the net when the Malian international put Miron Muslić’s side in front with Schalke’s intense pressing bearing fruit. Kenan Karaman provided the assist for the well-worked goal by the visitors.

Sylla’s second goal wasn’t one to savour, but it put them on course to make the leap to the top of the standings. Back from international duty, Sylla added another goal to his personal tally after Hannover defenders failed to clear their lines from a corner-kick.

Including one right after Schalke’s goal, Hannover saw two goals chalked off in an all-action first-half. And, it was left for Sylla’s substitute to secure the three points five minutes from time.

Christian Gomis scored his first goal for the club after failing to convert a simple chance seconds earlier. The Senegalese striker was a doubt due to an injury, but he’s finally off the mark as Schalke momentarily climbed to 2. Bundesliga summit.

Schalke will have another Friday night fixture next week when they host Darmstadt in a top-of-the-table clash. Five days later, the two teams will face again in Darmstadt in the second round of the DFB-Pokal action. Hannover, who are struggling after a great start to the season, will play away at Braunschweig next weekend.