Bayern go 16 points clear

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI and Thomas Muller claimed goal-scoring milestones as Bayern Munich went 16 points clear in the Bundesliga yesterday with a 4-2 victory over Werder Bremen.

Muller has now scored 100 Bundesliga goals in his career while Lewandowski has hit 94 German topflight goals, making him the highest scoring foreigner in the club’s history, following braces for both in a polished second-half display by Bayern’s forward pair.

“Muller has gotten his goal instincts back and Robert Lewandowski has so much class that he capitalises on those situations,” enthused Bayern coach Jupp Heynkes.

Bremen took a shock first-half lead when midfielder Jerome Gondorf scored his first goal for the club.

However, Bayern went into the break level after Muller equalised, then Lewandowski struck with the first of his two second-half headers.

Bayern defender Niklas Suele turned the ball into his own net to make it 2-2 with 15 minutes left, but Lewandowski restored the lead shortly afterwards.

Muller converted a superb chip over the Bremen defence by James Rodriguez to add gloss to the final scoreline.

Bayern have won 17 from 18 games since Heynckes returned in October for his fourth stint as head coach.

Schalke climbed from sixth to third despite leaking a late equaliser to draw 1-1 at home to Hanover 96.

Schalke’s new signing Marko Pjaca turned his marker in the box and fired home to put Schalke ahead on 16 minutes.

Hanover equalised four minutes from time when striker Niclas Fuellkrug slipped his marker and fired home his fifth goal in three games and deny Schalke second place.

There is little to separate the chasing pack behind Bayern with just a point between second-placed Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt in seventh place. – AFP