Bayern cruises past 10-man Leipzig
RB Leipzig's hopes of winning a shock Bundesliga title were given a reality check by defending champion Bayern Munich ahead of the mid-season break.
Bayern Munich comfortably beat 10-man RB Leipzig 3-0 to move three points clear of its title rival and ensure it will spend Christmas on top of the Bundesliga.
The two sides came into their first competitive meeting separated only by goal difference, but the champion made a huge statement in emphatically winning its fifth consecutive league game.
Thiago Alcantara and Xabi Alonso both scored as Bayern raced in front in the first half, before Leipzig's Emil Forsberg was sent off for a foul on Philipp Lahm, who had broken clear on a counter-attack.
Robert Lewandowski's penalty – his 12th league goal of the season – added to Leipzig's misery before the break and Bayern cruised to victory from then on, with substitute Franck Ribery hitting the crossbar in the second half.
Leipzig had won nine of its previous 10 league games having impressed hugely after promotion, but it will now have to reflect on a morale-sapping defeat during the Bundesliga's one-month mid-season break.
The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute when Lahm's cross from the right led to Lewandowski's effort striking the post, with Thiago applying a first-time finish on the rebound.
Bayern almost struck again a few moments later, Douglas Costa hitting the post having been found by Lewandowski.
Manuel Neuer kept out Diego Demme at the other end, but Bayern was two up after 25 minutes.
Naby Keita lost possession in a dangerous area for Leipzig, which allowed Lewandowski and Thiago to combine before the ex-Barcelona midfielder fed Alonso to send a side-footed finish into the bottom-left corner.
Willi Orban had a header brilliantly saved by Neuer as the visitors searched for a way back into the game, but their hopes took another hit in the 30th minute.
Forsberg put in a cynical challenge from behind on Lahm as the Bayern captain attempted to launch a counter-attack and referee Felix Zwayer deemed it worthy of a red card, but only after Bayern protests and discussion with his assistant.
Bayern made it three in the last minute of the first half after Costa, who was fortunate not to be flagged offside, raced on to a high ball and was brought down by goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi just inside the area.
Lewandowski calmly sent Gulacsi the wrong way from the resulting spot-kick.
Ribery came on for Arjen Robben at half-time and Bayern continued to press, Gulacsi having to rush out quickly to deny Lewandowski.
Marcel Sabitzer had an a shot deflected wide, but Bayern was looking more likely to strike again, with Gulacsi helping Lewandowski's chip over the bar after good play from Ribery.
Ribery saw a late effort bounce off the crossbar after being found by Alonso, with Leipzig barely threatening in the closing stages to leave Carlo Ancelotti's men celebrating a third straight clean sheet and some breathing space at the top of the table.
