LEW BEAUTY
Striker Rob helps Bayern stay top
BAYERN MUNICH kept their two-point lead at the summit of the Bundesliga as Robert Lewandowski helped see off Stuttgart.
Hansi Flick’s side still had to come from behind to beat the hosts, but they remain two points above RB Leipzig, after their 2-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld.
And Bayern are now four ahead of third-placed Borussia Dortmund, who fell to a shock defeat by the same scoreline against FC Koln following Ellyes Skhiri’s double.
It was the first time in 29 years that Koln, who have now broken their club- record 18-game winless league run, have won in Dortmund, the last being in 1991.
However Bayern had to find victory the hard way.
Lassana Coulibaly swept in from Silas Wamangituka’s excellent low cross to put Stuttgart ahead with a 20th minute counter-attack.
Kingsley Coman levelled for Bayern before the break although Stuttgart’s Philipp Forster was denied almost immediately as Coulibaly was retrospectively penalised for a foul in robbing Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer of possession.
Once Lewandowski – who had earlier headed against a post – struck to complete the first- half turnaround, there was no way back for Stuttgart.
It was Lewandowski’s 12th goal in eight Bundesliga appearances this season and he had Coman to thank.
Juventus loanee Douglas Costa then added a third late on to seal the victory.
Former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane set up Costa, who cut in from the right to thunder home.
It was not until Costa’s 87thminute strike that the Bavarians could breathe easily.
Bayern face title rivals Leipzig in the league next time out where they will be looking to pull themselves away from the chasing pack.