Schalke lose at home to Stuttgart

A Vedad Ibisevic brace has given Stuttgart a 2-1 win away to Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga.

Stuttgart came out of the blocks quickest as Timo Hildebrand had to be alert to keep out Georg Niedermeier's low, early shot from distance.

Ibisevic then rose highest in the box to meet a Cristian Molinaro cross, but he could not keep his header down.

© AP Photos

However, midway through the half Ibisevic did have his goal after fine work from Ibrahima Traore down the left, who put it on a plate for the striker to finish from close range.

Schalke came into the game after the goal but the closest they got in the opening 45 minutes was Benedikt Howedes's header that was saved.

In the 66th minute Schalke's task got even harder as Ibisevic added his second, finishing low following Christian Gentner's pass.

Despite a late Sven Ulreich own goal, Schalke were unable to get back in the game and went down to a disappointing home defeat.