Hannover 96 1-3 Schalke 04

Schalke kept their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season alive with a 3-1 win over relegated Hannover keeping them within reach of the Bundesliga top four.Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's opening goal was cancelled out by Artur Sobiech's equaliser for the hosts, but Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Alessandro Schopf ensured the Royal Blues came away with three points.Daniel Stendel was given a full-time contract as Hannover coach for next season having impressed in his few games in temporary charge, despite the Reds' relegation being confirmed last weekend.His side impressed again with a new brand of attacking football, yet their defensive frailties were their undoing once again as Choupo-Moting stretched to meet Leon Goretzka's cross unmarked and put Schalke in front in the 11th minute.Sobiech brought Hannover level 10 minutes later when he was afforded too much room by the Schalke defence to turn in Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee's cross.It sparked a sustained period of Hannover pressure as Stendel's men looked to go down fighting, but there was a lack of precision in their attacking play and Huntelaar restored Schalke's lead just before half-time with an easy tap-in after Leroy Sane threaded his cross through the legs of a Hannover defender.It was a hammer blow to Hannover's already low morale and they succumbed to a third goal 10 minutes from time.Hannover gave the ball away cheaply down the left and Joel Matip made the Reds' defence look like statues as he dribbled his way through before squaring for Schopf to score.The win means Schalke will go into the final two games of the season still in with a chance of finishing inside the top four, having ensured they will at least be playing in the Europa League next season.ends