Hamburg  - Schalke 04 edged Cologne 1-0 in a Bundesliga football match on Friday which gave the hosts a breather after a midweek embarrassment in the German cup.

Germany midfielder Jermaine Jones scored the winner with a low shot from the edge of the area 28 minutes into the match after a nice move on the right wing.

Schalke were far from glorious and had no other scoring chance as the fans chanted "Rutten out" in the direction of beleaguered coach Fred Rutten in the closing stages. However, the win at least partly made up for a 1-0 cup defeat at second division Mainz on Tuesday.

Cologne, who had shocked champions Bayern Munich 2-1 a fortnight ago, tried in vain to equalize. Youssef Mohamad missed a cross from point-blank range on the hour and wasted a huge chance in stoppage time as they suffered their first defeat in seven games.

Schalke rank sixth with 37 points, Cologne are 10th with 29 points.

The top teams play on Saturday with leaders Hertha Berlin (43 points) at Energie Cottbus, SV Hamburg (42) at bottom side Borussia Moenchengladbach and struggling fifth-placed Munich (39) hosting Hanover 96. (dpa)