2. Bundesliga: Schalke march towards Bundesliga return with emphatic win over Münster

2. Bundesliga: Schalke march towards Bundesliga return with emphatic win over Münster

Goals from Kenan Karaman, an own goal by Jannis Heuer, Adil Aouchiche and Moussa Sylla sealed an emphatic win for the Royal Blues, who remain top of the table and three points clear of second place.

Schalke asserted their dominance from the outset, pinning Münster back and creating a flurry of early chances. Dejan Ljubicic saw an effort cleared off the line by Niko Koulis, while Karaman fired narrowly wide inside the opening ten minutes.

Their pressure eventually paid off in the 36th minute. A mistake from Paul Jaeckel allowed Schalke to regain possession, with Ljubicic driving forward down the right before delivering a precise cross to the far post. Karaman rose above Koulis and Heuer to power home a header and give the hosts a deserved lead.

Münster’s situation worsened just before the break. Aouchiche’s delivery into the box was inadvertently turned into his own net by Heuer, doubling Schalke’s advantage and leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Schalke put the game beyond doubt shortly after the restart. Ljubicic was again involved, picking out Aouchiche on the edge of the area, and although the Frenchman’s effort appeared straightforward, Johannes Schenk could only allow it to slip underneath him and into the net for 3-0.

The hosts continued to dominate and added a fourth in the 66th minute. Bryan Lasme’s cross found Karaman at the back post, who unselfishly nodded the ball across goal for Sylla to tap in from close range.