BERLIN, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- The "Royal Blues" overcame relegation threatened Hoffenheim thanks to the winner by striker Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting at the opener of the 17th round in the German Bundesliga on Friday.
Schalke sealed their eight win of the season and increased Hoffenheim's relegation worries. Choupo-Moting's first-half goal was enough to edge the visitors, who pressed frenetically in the second-half.
The hosts almost broke the deadlock with five minutes into the game but Leon Goretzka's effort landed only in the side netting. However, Schalke dictated the pace on the pitch whereas Hoffenheim lurked for counter attacks.
As the match progressed, Schalke turned their dominance into a tangible reward as Choupo-Moting tapped home Johannes Geis' cross into the box from very close range with 28 minutes into the game.
Andre Breitenreiter's men took the lead into the break and tried to protect their lead to the end. Schalke's strategy nearly got punished but Jonathan Schmid's back heel effort missed the goal just wide in the 52nd minute.
Hoffenheim's chance was a wakening call for the hosts, who came close to double the lead as Sead Kolasinac shot on target struck the outside of the left post 12 minutes later.
Nevertheless, Hoffenheim squandered the golden opportunity to restore parity as Eduardo Vargas pulled over the crossbar despite having all time and space from promising position. The visitors pressed for the leveller but Schalke were able to run out the clock.
With the result, Schalke climb on the 4th place whereas Hoffenheim overwinter on the 17th place for the moment.
The following fixtures are scheduled for Saturday: Hamburg host Augsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt see Werder Bremen, Cologne face runners-up Borussia Dortmund, Hannover encounter front-runners Bayern Munich, newly promoted Ingolstadt clash with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg visit bottom side Stuttgart.