Resurgent Kevin Kuranyi’s ninth goal of the season helped Schalke 04 to a stumbling 1-0 win over Nuremberg on Sunday and narrowed the gap on undefeated Bayer Leverkusen to a single point.
Kuranyi, hoping for a Germany recall this World Cup year, grabbed the winner three minutes after the restart, tapping in Jefferson Farfan’s cross from the right.
Nuremberg, a place off the bottom with 12 points, troubled the hosts with a new-look defense including Breno, on loan from Bayern Munich, and twice hit the post.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The visitors were initially in control as Schalke’s offensive efforts were stifled and Nuremberg could have taken the lead when Angelos Haristeas pounced on defender Marcelo Bordon’s fumble to race clear, but he hit the post.
Schalke, who have now won their last four league games, grabbed the winner in the 48th minute when Peruvian Farfan shook off his marker on the right wing to cross into the box and Kuranyi stretched to connect at the far post.
Nuremberg were again unlucky in the 68th minute when Greece international Haristeas combined well with substitute Christian Eigler, who sprinted clear, but had his shot deflected on to the post by keeper Manuel Neuer.
Elsewhere, a stoppage-time goal from Borussia Dortmund’s Kevin Grosskreutz gave them a 3-2 win over hosts Cologne, who battled back from 2-0 down to equalize two minutes from time. The win kept Dortmund in the mix in fifth place on 33 points.
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