Two first-half goals from Stefan Bell have given Mainz 05 a 2-0 win over Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga this evening.
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Schalke made a bright start, resulting in two chances for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar inside the opening five minutes, but Loris Karius was able to save both.
The Mainz keeper came under pressure again when Huntelaar set Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting up for a shot against his former club, but the striker could only scuff his finish wide from just a few yards out.
Despite the dominant start by the visitors, it was Mainz who opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark as Niko Bungert played the ball on for Bell, leaving the defender to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Bell, who has scored just one goal this season before tonight, added his second of the match just three minutes later, losing Joel Matip to give himself a free header from a set piece.
Ralf Fahrmann came under pressure between the posts for Schalke again before half time as Johannes Geis went directly for goal from a long-range free kick, but the keeper just got back in time to tip it behind.
Roberto Di Matteo's side had a chance to get a goal back early in the second half when Jefferson Farfan tried to make the most of a slow clearance from Daniel Brosinski, but his finish failed to test the keeper.
Huntelaar continued to get forward with ease, but the striker could not get his shots on target as the visitors dominated possession while creating few opportunities to cut Mainz's lead.
The hosts could have put the match beyond doubt with 20 minutes to go as Fahrmann parried the ball straight to Jairo Samperio, but the winger hurried his shot, smashing it against the crossbar.
The woodwork denied Mainz again a few minutes later as Geis lined up another free kick, lifting his set piece over the wall, only to see it bounce clear off the outside of the post.
It was Schalke's turn to hit the bar inside the final 10 minutes as Huntelaar and Leon Goretzka linked up on the edge of the box, setting up the latter for a powerful strike which went behind the crossbar.
The visitors continued to look the more likely in the closing stages, as Sead Kolasinac crossed the ball in for Choupo-Moting, who controlled the delivery on his chest before volleying wide.
The bar came to Mainz's rescue for a second time moments later as Julian Draxler unleashed a 30-yard rocket, beating Karius before coming back off the crossbar.
The result moves Mainz up to fifth in the German top flight, while Schalke stay fifth in the table.
Sian Cowper
