Germany defender Heiko Westermann scored two second-half goals to seal Schalke 04’s 2-0 win over Hanover and put the Royal Blues into the German Cup’s third round alongside Werder Bremen on Tuesday.
Bundesliga leaders Schalke had few problems as Westermann struck in the 56 and 78th minutes to put his side through.
“I am pleased with the result,” Royal Blues coach Fred Rutten said.
“We only had one chance in the first-half, but after the break we were superior, although we still have things to work on,” he said.
Werder, seventh in the Bundesliga thanks to their 5-2 hammering of defending champions Bayern Munich on Saturday, had to come from behind to win 2-1 at third division Erzgebirge Aue to reach January’s third round.
Aue’s Fabian Muller put the home side ahead after just seven minutes beforer Bremen’s hard-working Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro equalized for the visitors on 26 minutes.
And Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg scored his third goal in two games — after his Bundesliga brace in Munich last Saturday — on 54 minutes to give his side the winner.
“That was a difficult game for us, but we expected a hard game along the way,” Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said.
“Aue played well and demanded a lot from us. We are glad we are in the next round,” he said.
Bundesliga strugglers Energie Cottbus made the third round by converting all three of the penalties they were rewarded to claim a 3-0 win over Borussia Moechengladbach as Italian midfielder Ervin Skela slotted home two second-half spot-kicks.
Second division Mainz had no trouble beating Cologne 3-1, while Eintracht Frankfurt were another Bundesliga side beaten by a side from the league below when they fell 2-1 to Hansa Rostock after extra-time.
Rostock striker Enrico Kern hit the winner in the 101st minute of extra-time to put the second division side through to the next round.
Bayer Leverkusen made the third round with a 2-0 win at second division Augsburg while 1860 Munich beat Duisburg 5-4 on penalties.
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