Schalke sink St Pauli

Former Real Madrid striker Raul grabbed his first after 14 minutes when Japanese Atsuto Uchida cut the ball into the box. Huntelaar failed to connect at the near post and the Spaniard slid the ball home from five metres.

The 33-year-old added another, again from close range, nine minutes from time after Dutchman Huntelaar headed his sixth league goal of the season early in the second half.

Only days ago Raul was told by coach Felix Magath to stop dropping back into midfield to pick up the ball and to spend more time in the box where his natural scoring instincts have made him the Champions League's all-time top scorer.

"I'm glad he scored in the Bundesliga again," said Magath, whose team has struggled in the league this season but can still advance in the Champions League. "I'm happy for him and I think it was a kind of redemption for him."

Schalke's first home victory in the league this season moved them up two places to 15th with nine points from 11 games.

Mainz 05 can provisionally go top of the table on Saturday with a win at Freiburg while Borussia Dortmund, a point ahead on 25, are in action at Hanover 96 on Sunday.