Goals from Jefferson Farfan, Lewis Holtby and Teemu Pukki saw Schalke 04 overcome Mainz 05 this evening.

The first meaningful chance of the match came Schalke's way in the 20th minute when Ibrahim Afellay forced Christian Wetklo into a save.

The home side were ahead just moments later when Farfan converted from 12 yards following Junior Diaz's foul on Benedikt Howedes.

Afellay almost doubled Schalke's lead before the break but his attempt from outside the area whistled past the post.

Mainz almost found an equaliser soon after the interval but Julian Baumgartlinger's effort was clawed away by Lars Unnerstall.

Holtby added a second with nine minutes remaining when he headed home Christian Fuchs's centre before late substitute Teemu Pukki put the game to bed in stoppage time.

Three points for the Gelsenkirchen club see them rise to third in the table.