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Ruhr derby

February 26, 2010

Bundesliga club Schalke have moved to within one point of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen after a 2-1 derby win over Borussia Dortmund at home. The loss leaves Dortmund in fifth place.

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Dortmund's Nelson Valdez, left, and Schalke's Marcelo Bordon challenge for the ball
Dortmund were unable to add to their leadImage: AP

Both teams played frenetic derby football in the first half, with neither able to capitalize on their possession.

Dortmund broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half after being awarded a penalty when Schalke midfielder Ivan Rakitic was judged to have fouled Nelson Valdez in the box. Nuri Sahin slotted past keeper Manuel Neuer with ease.

The goal sparked Schalke back into action, and, after yellow cards to Valdez and Schalke's Kevin Kuranyi from separate incidents, the Gelsenkirchen club equalized in the 66th minute through Benedikt Hoewedes.

Hoewedes out-jumped two Dortmund defenders to head the goal after a Lukas Schmitz free kick from the right.

Dortmund, without leading scorer Lucas Barrios, had a chance to take the lead in the 81st minute after a breakaway run, but Schalke defender Rafinha got back in time to thwart the movement.

Two minutes later Croatian Rakitic atoned for giving away the earlier penalty by firing home a well-placed side-foot from the edge of the keeper's box.

The win moves Schalke to within one point of Bayern Munich and league leaders Leverkusen, who sit atop the Bundesliga on goal difference. Both can extend their leads to four points with wins this weekend over Hamburg and Cologne respectively.

A win would have moved Dortmund into fourth place ahead of Hamburg, but instead they stay in fifth, four points ahead of Werder Bremen.

dfm/dpa/Reuters

Editor: Nigel Tandy