Bielefeld, Germany - Goals from Jefferson Farfan and Kevin Kuranyi gave Schalke 04 a 2-0 win at Arminia Bielefeld in their first match since the dismissal of coach Fred Rutten eight days ago.

Peru striker Farfan got on the end of a cross from Christian Pander to head Schalke ahead just before half-time, and Kuranyi notched the second three minutes into stoppage time.

The win was a boost for troubled Schalke who are now being coached by caretaker trainers Mike Buskens and Youri Mulder.

Schalke move to seventh, nine points behind leaders Hertha Berlin (49 points) to keep alive their hopes of UEFA Cup qualification.

The win will also restore some calm to the Gelsenkirchen club after a turbulent few weeks which have seen both general manager Andreas Moeller and Dutch coach Rutten dismissed.

Bielefeld meanwhile remain in relegation danger, two points from the drop zone.

Hertha are at home to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, while Wolfsburg meet Bayern Munich in a match between two teams who are joint second, a point behind Hertha.

Fourth-placed SV Hamburg - level on points with Wolfsburg and Bayern - take on fifth-placed Hoffenheim in another top game of the weekend programme. (dpa)