Reds pushed all the way by plucky Freiburg

FC Bayern beat SC Freiburg 2-1 on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the table to four points. Robert Lewandowski handed the German record champions an early lead. Former FCB man Nils Petersen levelled the scores after the hour mark, but Thomas Müller's goal meant Bayern sealed three crucial points.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Serge Gnabry, Müller and Kingsley Coman, with target man Lewandowski up front.

Early lead

Bayern went straight onto the front foot. A Gnabry shot was deflected wide before Lewandowski saw an effort blocked, but the world's best player soon put Munich ahead, firing past keeper Florian Müller following Thomas Müller's brilliant assist. Freiburg got a grip now, Vincenzo Grifo seeing an effort blocked and Roland Sallai blasting wide.

Gnabry fired wide before he had to be replaced with a thigh problem. On came Sané, who fired wide as Munich enjoyed another spell in command. A Boateng through-ball only just evaded Lewandowski in the box. A Müller cross evaded friend and foe alike, and a miscued Goretzka finish meant the sides turned round with Bayern one goal to the good.

Both Müllers shine

Chances proved few and far between at the beginning of a more physical second half. A Sané effort from distance was deflected wide before Bayern had a gilt-edged opportunity on the hour mark, Lewandowski seeing a shot deflected onto the crossbar, Florian Müller saving Goretzka's rebound. Sub Petersen levelled the scores just after coming on, heading in from a corner.

Bayern went looking for a reply, Florian Müller proving equal to a Kimmich effort, but Thomas Müller restored Bayern's lead, shining with a fine first touch before slotting past his namesake. Corentin Tolisso and Jamal Musiala took over from Kimmich and Coman now. Florian Müller made strong saves to deny Lewandowski and Tolisso, Javi Martínez and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting replacing Goretzka and Müller in the frantic closing stages. Sané sidestepped three defenders before seeing his effort saved, but a big scare came when Petersen hit the bar at the other end. Nicolas Höfler fired wide, and Bayern sealed a narrow but deserved win.

The result takes Bayern onto 36 points from 16 matches, four clear of Leipzig. Bayern will be back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to face Augsburg.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen