Cologne stuns hapless Schalke

Berlin - Third-placed Schalke crashed to their first defeat in seven games on Sunday as they were stunned 3-0 at home to Cologne.

With leaders Bayern Munich hosting second-placed Borussia Dortmund later, Schalke missed their chance to climb one place in the table as they were soundly beaten by Cologne, a surprise package this season, who are now fifth.

Schalke had been flying high after four Bundesliga wins and two Europa League victories before Sunday's kick-off.

Cologne's French striker Anthony Modeste claimed his sixth goal in eight games when he netted a Leonardo Bittencourt pass on the stroke of half-time at Schalke before the guests ran riot in the final ten minutes.

Cologne doubled their lead at Gelsenkirchen's Veltins Arena when defensive midfielder Yannick Gerhardt slotted home after beating three defenders to make a mockery of the home back four, on 79 minutes.

To compound Schalke's misery, substitute Simon Voller drilled his shot into the bottom right-hand corner, just a minute after coming on, to wrap up the three points on 84 minutes.