Leon Goretzka keeps Bayern on track for latest Bundesliga title

Leon Goretzka scored late for Bayern Munich to take another step closer to a record-extending eighth straight Bundesliga title after beating Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 yesterday.

Goretzka capitalized on a lapse in concentration in the visiting defence when he struck in the 86th minute, firing inside the far post after being picked out by Benjamin Pavard.

The win kept Bayern seven points clear of Borussia Dortmund with three rounds to play.

Bayern's opener was set up by Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 26th when he passed straight to Joshua Zirkzee, who gratefully returned the ball to the unguarded net.

But the visitors regrouped and equalized through Pavard's own goal in the 37th. The French defender tried to stop Patrick Herrmann's cross from reaching Hofmann at the back post but couldn't help deflecting it past Neuer.

Pavard atoned by setting up Goretzka for the winner.

DORTMUND MAINTAINS CHASE

Bayern's title celebrations were put on ice earlier after Erling Haaland scored in the fifth minute of injury time for Dortmund to beat Fortuna Düsseldorf 1-0.

Dortmund laboured for long periods in Düsseldorf, where Achraf Hakimi missed the visitors' biggest chance in a one-onone with goalkeeper Florian Kastenmeier, who also had little difficulty dealing with Julian Brandt's effort.

Raphaël Guerreiro thought he'd equalized in the 65th, when he finished off a counterattack with a volley past Kastenmeier. However, the goal was ruled out through VAR after he was adjudged to have controlled the ball with his arm.

Düsseldorf substitute Steven Skrzybski struck the post twice in the closing stages.

But it was to be another substitute, the 19-year-old Haaland, who powered home a header from Manuel Akanji's cross in the 95th minute to keep alive Dortmund's slim title hopes. Bayern's goal difference is vastly superior to Dortmund's so a draw would have been little use to Lucien Favre's side.

The Swiss coach appeared to injure himself in the celebrations.

Leon Goretzka, right, celebrates with Serge Gnabry after he scored what proved to be the winner for Bayern Munich yesterday. Photo: AP