BERLIN, Aug. 13 -- A triple by Schalke striker and Dutch international Klaas Jan Huntelaar was enough to bring his team back on the winning path whilst Hoffenheim midfielder Sejad Salihovic shocked defending champion Dortmund with a terrific free kick goal from 25 meters on Saturday Bundesliga.
Other than expected Cologne seized the initiative to shock the "Koenigsblauen" at Veltins Arena with 12 minutes into the match as Cologne striker and German international Lukas Podolski utilized an assist to slot home into open goal from penalty area.
Cologne retracted with the early lead and defended deep whereas Schalke remained incapable to finish their build up successfully. Three minutes before break, referee Guido Winkmann awarded Schalke a penalty due to an alleged handball inside penalty area following Klaas Jan Huntelaar who converted the penalty for the equalizer.
Schalke 04's Klaas-Jan Huntelaaar scores a penalty against Cologne during their German first division Bundesliga soccer match in Gelsenkirchen, August 13, 2011.
After the break, Cologne was still dazed by the equalizer so that Schalke exploited the chance to take the lead at the 47th minute when Huntelaar nodded home a cross from the right wing at the last post.
Schalke kept it bowling and flabbergasted Cologne with the 3-1 lead only one minute later as youngster midfielder Lewis Holtby scored with a well-placed shot into bottom right.
Cologne abandoned the field but Schalke remained active and aggressive so that Schalkes Spaniard veteran Raul playfully over lobbed Cologne goalie Rensing after a through ball from penalty area to make it 4-1 on the scoreboards with 59 minutes into the match.
Finally Dutch striker Huntelaar wrapped his hat rick six minutes before final whistle to seal the heavy 5-1 defeat for Cologne. It is the second heavy defeat in row whilst Schalke recovered from the 3-0 loss against Stuttgart.