VfB Stuttgart 0 : 4 Schalke 04 - Di Matteo wins on the road

Schalke picked up their first away points under Roberto Di Matteo in style on Saturday with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting netting a hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Stuttgart.

Choupo-Moting had the ball in the back of the net after less than 60 seconds before Max Meyer added a second shortly after.

Choupo-Moting's second ensured Schalke led 3-0 after 21 minutes and he added a fourth in the second half to leave Stuttgart rooted to the bottom of the Bundesliga.

Schalke have won only once on their travels this season, and never under Di Matteo, but the chances of that record changing appeared high when Choupo-Moting put them in front within a minute.

Tranquillo Barnetta's free-kick was met at the near post by the Cameroonian, who used the outside of his right boot to direct the ball past Sven Ulreich from six yards.

Schalke led by two goals after only 10 minutes when Choupo-Moting this time turned provider for Meyer, whose first shot took a deflection off a defender to loop over Ulreich and the Schalke midfielder continued his run to head the ball into the unguarded goal from a tight angle.

In the 21st minute, Choupo-Moting was left completely unmarked to head the Royal Blues three goals in front for their third Bundesliga game in a row.

Their last two both ended with victories, although they only just held on to beat Wolfsburg 3-2, beating Mainz more comfortably last weekend 4-1.

Stuttgart, meanwhile, had already recovered from a three-goal deficit once this season, salvaging a 3-3 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

Given their defensive frailties, that was not likely to happen this time as Choupo-Moting capitalised once again to complete his hat-trick with yet another unmarked header.

Schalke then showed a little mercy on their hosts, although Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens had certainly already seen what he needs to work on if he is to succeed in saving the Swabians for the second season in a row.