Schalke overcame Hannover with a comfortable win at the Veltins Arena on Sunday.
Two quick-fire goals just before half-time from Jefferson Farfan and Max Meyer were enough to seal the three points for the Royal Blues.
The hosts dominated the game, and had a number of chances early on. and Ron-Robert Zieler in the Hannover goal was kept busy, dealing with a number of crosses and foiling stand-in captain Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Hannover began to grow into the game, but they fell behind six minutes before half-time. Sead Kolasinac played a delicious one-two with Chinedu Obasi and burst into the penalty area, squaring for the unmarked Farfan at the back post.
It was a blow which knocked the stuffing out of Hannover, and the situation worsened for the visitors four minutes later. This time, right-back Atstuto Uchida played in the impressive Meyer who was able to coolly slot home.
Half-time: 2-0
The second half was a much more open affair as Hannover went in search of the goal which would see them claw their way back into the game, while Schalke looked to put the result beyond all doubt.
The visitors' coach Tayfun Korkut threw on Edgar Prib and Jan Schlaudraff in an attempt to salvage something from the match, but neither change had the desired effect.
Meyer forced a smart save out of Zieler before Ralf Fahrmann was called into action, stopping Lars Stindl's costless kick.
The result means that Schalke remain fourth in the table, but they are now four points clear of Borussia Monchengladbach in fifth. Meanwhile, Hannover stay tenth.