FC Cologne | 1 - 4 | Schalke 04 |
|---|---|---|
| Lukas Podolski (4') |  | Ciprian Marica (60') |
| | Ciprian Marica (72') | |
| | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (pen 78') | |
| | Marco Höger (82') | |
| Date | : | Sat, 28, 2012 | Time | : | 18:30 CET |
| Play on | : | German Bundesliga |
| Live Channel | : | channels #1 channels #2 |
FC Cologne 1 - 4Schalke 04 28th Jan Highlight 2012
FC Cologne 1 - 4Schalke 04 28th Jan Report 2012
Schalke came from behind to rejoin Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga with a big win over Cologne.Lukas Podolski gave the home side the lead in the fourth minute, but Schalke turned the game on its head in the last half an hour with Ciprian Marica on target twice and Klaas Jan Huntelaar scoring from the penalty spot.
Marc Hoger made it four as Schalke also did themselves a favour in terms of improving their goal difference.
Miso Brecko was shown a red card to compound the defeat for Stale Solbakken's side, who fall to within just three points of the relegation zone.
Solbakken had warned that things could turn dramatic in the event of a defeat but that did not seem too likely when Podolski put them in front early on.
He accepted a pass from his strike partner Milivoje Novakovic and unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner of Lars Unnerstall's goal from almost 25 yards out.
Cologne could have made it two just before the interval, but Podolski's shot from close range just missed the target.
Schalke started the second half with more verve and they were rewarded with the equaliser on the hour mark.
Christian Fuchs sent in a cross from the left and Marica opened his account for the Royal Blues following his transfer from Stuttgart with a header past Michael Rensing.
He added his and Schalke's second 12 minutes later when he found himself in the right place at the right time to score after Huntelaar's header rebounded out off the right-hand post.
Cologne fell to pieces and any hopes of a recovery were dashed when Brecko fouled Julian Draxler inside the penalty area, earning a red card as well as giving away a penalty.
Huntelaar scored from the spot to seal the win for Huub Stevens' side.
Hoger then added the icing on top with a fourth goal in the 82nd minute, slotting into an open goal from six yards after Huntelaar unselfishly squared the ball to him rather than shooting
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