Bayern down Schalke and stretch lead

FC Bayern beat FC Schalke 4-0 on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of the table to seven points. Thomas Müller rewarded Bayern's dominance when he scored after the half-hour, Robert Lewandowski doubling the advantage after half-time. Müller rounded off his brace and David Alaba added gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng, Alaba and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka featured in a twin holding role behind Leroy Sané, Müller and Serge Gnabry, with target man Lewandowski up front. Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala and Lucas Hernández took over from Sané, Gnabry and Davies midway through the second half, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting coming on for Lewandowski with ten minutes to go.

Müller opens

Neuer was the first keeper to be called into action when he denied Timo Becker. Sané fired wide from 25 yards before Lewandowski headed over the bar. Suat Serdar miscued a header at the other end, Neuer making a strong save against Mark Uth, but Bayern asserted their authority now, and Schalke keeper Ralf Fährmann shone with a double save against Lewandowski and Gnabry.

Neuer denied Ozan Kabak, Kimmich drawing a save from Fährmann at the other end, but a goal was coming and arrived when Kimmich found himself in acres on space, his pinpoint cross inviting Müller to head home. Alaba miscued from distance and Sané saw an effort blocked, and the sides turned round with Munich a goal to the good.

Plain sailing

FCB went looking to twist the knife, Gnabry arrowing his drive wide and Kimmich rifling over the bar, although Schalke's Matija Nastasić headed just wide at the other end. Kimmich's long ball soon found Lewandowski, who shone with a fine first touch and beat Fährmann. The storm abated for a spell, Serdar firing wide and Gnabry testing Fährmann.

Lewandowski fired wide and Alessandro Schöpf miscued from 20 yards, another Uth effort going wide. Bayern upped the pressure again with ten minutes to go, Fährmann making strong saves against Goretzka and Musiala, but he was unable to prevent Müller from heading in following a Kimmich free-kick. Alaba rounded off the scoring when he beat Fährmann from 30 yards, and match official Sascha Stegemann blew for full-time.

The victory, combined with the results from around the grounds, means Bayern are seven points clear at the top of the table for the first time this season. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Hoffenheim.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen