Substitute Jan Simak and Mario Gomez handed Babbel a winning start for his new career as a Bundesliga coach.

Babbel assumed the Stuttgart job after Armin Veh's sacking last weekend due to poor performance of the 2006-2007 Bundesliga champions.

Simak opened the scoring after 79 minutes - just six minutes after the Czech internation was sent to the field - before Gomez made it 2-0 against Schalke 04 four minutes later.

Schalke drop deeper into mid-table mediocrity with just one win from their last six Games, Stuttgart ended a winless run of six games.

In Bochum yesterday, substitute Ivica Olic has brought Hamburg's losing away run to an end.

The Croatian international's sixth goal of the season in the 1-1 draw at Bochum saw Hamburg pick up a point after three straightaway defeats.

Bochum are now winless in eleven games, with the 2-0 over Bielefeld their only victory, and remain in the drop zone.

In Dortmund, Borussia Dortmund missed out on fifth place with a goalless draw against Wolfsburg - already their sixth home draw this season.

Wolfsburg are still waiting for their first away win of the season. The last one dates back to the final match day of last season - a 4-2 victory in Dortmund.