Berlin, Nov 24 (IANS) Front runners Bayern Munich cemented their leading position owing to a comfortable 3-0 win over second placed Dortmund, while Schalke squandered a two-goal lead to drop points at Frankfurt in Bundesliga round 13.
The BVB set the tone for most of the time but Bayern clinically utilized their chances to inflict the hosts the third loss of the campaign. Former Dortmund player Mario Goetze broke the deadlock for his new side to smooth the way for the win, Xinhua reported Saturday.
Juergen Klopp’s squad dominated the opening period owing to chances by Jakub Blaszczykowski and Marco Reus. Up to that point Bayern had to thank their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
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Bayern worked out their first chances just before the break when Thomas Mueller and Mario Mandzukic tested custodian Roman Weidenfeller.
After the break things changed as Bayern were able to break the deadlock. It was former Dortmund youngster Goetze of all the people, who helped the Bavarians to open the scoring with 66 minutes into the match following a Mueller assist.
Bayern doubled the lead at the 85th minute through Dutchman Arjen Robben, whose chip beat onrushing keeper Weidenfeller. Soon after, Bayern tripled the lead courtesy Thomas Mueller, to sew up triumph at the Klassiker.
Bayern extended their lead on top of the standings to four points, as they remain unbeaten in 38 matches in a row. Meanwhile, Dortmund dropped from the second to the third position with 28 points.
Schalke and Frankfurt staged a see-saw match to delight the spectators at out sold Commerzbank Arena with six goals.
The visiting Schalke caught a perfect start as Frankfurt’s Johannes Flum opened the scoring with an own goal at the 14th minute.
Only four minutes later Schalke’s Joel Matip made it a 2-0 lead when he headed home a free kick by Dennis Aogo inside the box.
Schalke seemed content with the 2-0 lead and ceased attacks. Consequently, they allowed the hosts to get back into the match as Flum amended his own goal when he reduced the lead at the 56th minute.
The hosts made use of their momentum as Joselu headed home the equalizer five minutes later. Yet, Frankfurt were not done with the scoring as Joselu sealed his brace with the 3-2 score into the top right corner at the 68th minute.
However, Schalke were able to avoid the fifth loss of the season when Benedikt Hoewede poked home the equalizer with four minutes left.
Leverkusen wrapped up their first win against Berlin after six years. The hosts controlled the things most of time but it were Leverkusen that clinically scored the 1-0 winner through Stefan Kiebling, who extended his goal tally to seven.
Berlin was not able to overcome the visitors bulwark. The win helped the Werkself on second position with 31 points as they capitalize on Dortmund loss.
Elsewhere, wasteful Wolfsburg shared points with resilient Nuremberg following a 1-1 draw.
Halil Altintop’s brace secured Augsburg a 2-0 victory over Hoffenheim. Freiburg secured their second win of the season at Braunschweig, thanks to Gelson Fernandes decider.
The following matches are scheduled for Sunday: Hamburg meet Hannover for the Northern derby, meanwhile, Bremen host Mainz to close the 13th round.
