Bayer Leverkusen moved within seven points of leaders Borussia Dortmund with a comfortable 2-0 win over Schalke 04 Sunday.
Meanwhile Wolfsburg conceded a stoppage time goal for a 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart in Felix Magath's first game in charge since his return Friday, a result which leaves the Wolves in the relegation zone.
Eren Derdiyok and an own goal from Christoph Metzelder kept Leverkusen within distance of Dortmund who were held 1-1 by a late Mainz goal on Saturday.
Leverkusen move to 55 points to stay five-points ahead of Hanover and
seven clear of Bayern Munich, who both won Saturday.
Jupp Heynckes, who is expected Monday to announce his departure - possibly to Bayern - fielded midfielder Michael Ballack from the start, and the Germany captain came close with a ninth-minute header from a free-kick which keeper Manuel Neuer did well to tip wide.
Neuer could do nothing about Derdiyok's opener in the 19th minute. The Swiss striker escaped offside and then instead of bearing down on goal belted the ball on the volley from outside the right of the box into the top right angle of the goal.
If Schalke fans were expecting a reaction following Magath's midweek sacking, they were left disappointed. Leverkusen controlled midfield and Rene Adler in goal was a largely a spectator.
Caretaker coach Seppo Eichkorn - in charge until Ralf Rangnick takes over Monday - saw his side go further behind in the 27th minute when Metzelder headed a Renato Augusto cross from the left past Neuer in goal.
Adler tipped a Jose Manuel Jurado effort over the bar as Schalke improved after the break, but the home side should have added a third late on when Sidney Sam was put through by Renato Augusto only to fail to beat Neuer.
"It was important today to keep the ball moving quickly," said Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes.
"We deservedly went ahead and were then able to take things a bit easier. If we win every game now no one will overtake us for second place."
The defeat leaves Schalke 10th, only five points off the relegation zone.
"The first half decided it. Leverkusen were the clear better team (before the break) and we couldn't play any intelligent football," said Neuer.
In Stuttgart, Brazilian striker Grafite scored five minutes before the interval for Wolfsburg, but the home side scraped a 1-1 draw when defender Georg Niedermaier netted in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Wolfsburg remain second last on 27 points, four ahead of bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach. Stuttgart stay just outside the relegation zone, two points ahead of Wolfsburg and a point ahead of St Pauli.
Meanwhile Wolfsburg conceded a stoppage time goal for a 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart in Felix Magath's first game in charge since his return Friday, a result which leaves the Wolves in the relegation zone.
Eren Derdiyok and an own goal from Christoph Metzelder kept Leverkusen within distance of Dortmund who were held 1-1 by a late Mainz goal on Saturday.
Leverkusen move to 55 points to stay five-points ahead of Hanover and
seven clear of Bayern Munich, who both won Saturday.
Jupp Heynckes, who is expected Monday to announce his departure - possibly to Bayern - fielded midfielder Michael Ballack from the start, and the Germany captain came close with a ninth-minute header from a free-kick which keeper Manuel Neuer did well to tip wide.
Neuer could do nothing about Derdiyok's opener in the 19th minute. The Swiss striker escaped offside and then instead of bearing down on goal belted the ball on the volley from outside the right of the box into the top right angle of the goal.
If Schalke fans were expecting a reaction following Magath's midweek sacking, they were left disappointed. Leverkusen controlled midfield and Rene Adler in goal was a largely a spectator.
Caretaker coach Seppo Eichkorn - in charge until Ralf Rangnick takes over Monday - saw his side go further behind in the 27th minute when Metzelder headed a Renato Augusto cross from the left past Neuer in goal.
Adler tipped a Jose Manuel Jurado effort over the bar as Schalke improved after the break, but the home side should have added a third late on when Sidney Sam was put through by Renato Augusto only to fail to beat Neuer.
"It was important today to keep the ball moving quickly," said Leverkusen captain Simon Rolfes.
"We deservedly went ahead and were then able to take things a bit easier. If we win every game now no one will overtake us for second place."
The defeat leaves Schalke 10th, only five points off the relegation zone.
"The first half decided it. Leverkusen were the clear better team (before the break) and we couldn't play any intelligent football," said Neuer.
In Stuttgart, Brazilian striker Grafite scored five minutes before the interval for Wolfsburg, but the home side scraped a 1-1 draw when defender Georg Niedermaier netted in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Wolfsburg remain second last on 27 points, four ahead of bottom club Borussia Moenchengladbach. Stuttgart stay just outside the relegation zone, two points ahead of Wolfsburg and a point ahead of St Pauli.
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