Schalke Upset Werder's Title Challenge with 2-0 Victory

Bremen had a perfect six points before the match but Schalke ripped up the formbook to triumph 2-0 courtesy of goals from German international forward Kevin Kuranyi and substitute Hamit Altintop.

"We are delighted to leapfrog Bremen who are a great team," said Schalke coach Mirko Slomka.

"We had so many chances to win the game convincingly but we will take the 2-0. There is no point in getting carried away though as we have only played three games."

A tight game was expected but that was not the case, with Schalke, inspired by their Brazilian playmaker Lincoln, dominating proceedings and only an exceptional display from Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese kept the score line down.

"We never found our game. We were too passive and could not handle Schalke," admitted Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf. "Tim (Wiese) was great for us tonight but there were many who weren't."

Kuranyi back on form

Forgotten German international Kuranyi, left out of World Cup squad, put Schalke ahead after just seven minutes rising above Cameroon international Pierre Wome to power in a header.

It was Kuranyi's first goal since March and his explosive celebration emphasized the point.

"The goal was important for me and the team," enthused Kuranyi. "I just hope my club continue to play well and win games and then I can put myself forward for the national team."

Altintop had a great chance to make it 2-0 for Schalke on the hour mark but Wiese raced out to block with his chest. Wiese, knocking on the international door for Germany, saved his team again shortly before the interval thwarting Peter Lovenkrands.

Werder need to regroup

"We have two weeks off now and it is clear we need to do some work," the goalkeeper said. "I do not know what went wrong tonight but we have a great team and need to have faith in ourselves."

Schalke went in 1-0 up at half-time but they could easily have held a 4-0 lead and Bremen's woeful defending will interest their Champions League opponents Barcelona and Chelsea.

Altintop eased Schalke's nerves with a cool chipped finish in the 72nd minute to seal a thoroughly-deserved victory over a Bremen side that looked way off champion material.

Reigning champions Bayern Munich have the chance to nudge Schalke from the summit when they face FC Nuremberg on Saturday. Both Bayern and Nuremberg have a maximum six points from their first two games.

On Sunday the other title hopeful SV Hamburg, buoyed by their Champions League qualification in midweek, face Hertha Berlin.