Rejuvenated Schalke move up to second spot

BERLIN (Reuters) - Schalke 04's Chinedu Obasi scored and set up a goal for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in a 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin that took them up a place to second in the Bundesliga after the eighth win in their last nine home games. Nigerian Obasi, replacing the injured Jefferson Farfan on the right wing, made the most of a rare start this season to lift Schalke to 54 points, two ahead of Borussia Dortmund who travel to relegation-threatened VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. "I'm so happy for the team to have gone on such a good run," Schalke coach Jens Keller told reporters. "It's impressive. What we have achieved is outstanding and if we manage to get third place then we will have played a superb season." Schalke, who have lost once - against Bayern Munich - in their last 13 league games as they chase a Champions League qualifying place, went in front after 16 minutes when Obasi shook off two markers and rounded the keeper to score. Schalke, who also hit the woodwork in the first half, looked the livelier side despite missing 10 players through injury. Netherlands striker Huntelaar notched his 11th goal in 13 league matches this term seconds after the restart by drilling in a low shot having been sent through by Nigeria forward Obasi. Hertha remain in ninth place after their fourth straight league defeat. Bayern, who secured the title on Tuesday with seven games left in the campaign, host mid-table Hoffenheim on Saturday. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; editing by Ken Ferris)