Bayern runs riot to extend Bundesliga lead
Robert Lewandowski scored one goal and made another as Bayern Munich increased its lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim.
The defending champion nosed, briefly at least, 10 points ahead of RB Leipzig as it aims to secure a ninth successive title.
Hoffenheim offered plenty of threat and Ihlas Bebou should have done better with two gilt-edged chances, with his profligacy punished by Jerome Boateng and Thomas Muller.
Bebo atoned by teeing up Andrej Kramaric to volley in his first away league goal at Bayern on the stroke of half-time, but quick-fire strikes from Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry ensured a fourth straight Bundesliga win for Hansi Flick's team.
Hoffenheim stunned Bayern 4-1 early in the campaign and Bebou could have put it ahead in the opening stages on Sunday (AEDT), but Manuel Neuer came to the hosts' rescue.
Though Muller hit the crossbar at the other end, it was Hoffenheim that should have taken the lead, Bebou heading wide from close range.
He was made to pay in the 32nd minute when Boateng headed in Joshua Kimmich's out-swinging corner.
Bayern seemed to be heading into half-time with a two-goal cushion when Muller's rather scuffed effort at the culmination of Lewandowski's mazy run found its way into the bottom-right corner, yet Hoffenheim struck back 74 seconds later when Kramajic steered Bebou's cross beyond Neuer.
Unperturbed by conceding, Bayern was straight back on the front foot after the restart and a third goal came shortly before the hour, with Lewandowski on hand to capitalise on poor defending.
Kingsley Coman's cross had caused havoc in the build-up to Lewandowski's 24th league goal of 2020-21 and the Frenchman turned provider again six minutes later as he slipped in Gnabry to wrap up the points.
Benjamin Pavard thought he had added further gloss with a sensational strike from 20 yards out, only for VAR (video assistant referee) to disallow it because of Leroy Sane drifting offside, with Neuer pulling off an exceptional save to deny Pavel Kaderabek a late consolation.
