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Schalke slip raises Stuttgart hopes

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VfB Stuttgart could cut FC Schalke 04's Bundesliga leads to a point on Saturday after Mirko Slomka's side slipped to a 2-0 defeat by in-form Hamburger SV.

Bundesliga leaders FC Schalke 04's hopes of collecting their first German title in almost half a century suffered another setback on Friday as they slumped to a second consecutive defeat against Hamburger SV.

Ernst error
Having lost to Bayer 04 Leverkusen last weekend, Mirko Slomka's side were looking for a return to winning ways against a Hamburg team languishing in mid-table. It was not to be. Having dominated large swathes of the match in Gelsenkirchen, Schalke fell behind on 71 minutes when Rafael van der Vaart capitalised on a Fabian Ernst error to score his sixth goal of the season.

Stevens joy
Ivica Olić then doubled the advantage ten minutes from time following superb work from David Jarolím, meaning that VfB Stuttgart can trim Schalke's advantage atop the table to a point with victory at Leverkusen on Saturday. "It's unfortunate," said Slomka. "We had such a great start to the second half. But now we're in a slump. We've got to shake this off as soon as possible." The match proved a successful return for Hamburg coach Huub Stevens, who as a player lifted the 1996/97 UEFA Cup with Schalke and has now won four on the trot with his new club.