FC Bayern beat Greuther Fürth 3-1 on Friday evening, consolidating their lead in the Bundesliga table. Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich handed the champions a two-goal lead before half-time. Benjamin Pavard saw a red card after the restart. Despite the setback, Fürth's Sebastian Griesbeck put through his own goal when he tried to clear a ball midway through the second half. Cedric Itten scored a consolation goal for the home side shortly before the final whistle, but FCB deservedly sealed their eighth competitive victory on the bounce.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernández in a back four. Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Müller and Alphonso Davies, with Robert Lewandowski up front. Marcel Sabitzer, Serge Gnabry, Josip Stanišić and Jamal Musiala took over from Sané, Müller, Süle and Goretzka in the second half.

Müller and Kimmich on target

Once referee Robert Schröder had set the game in motion, Bayern took the initiative, Goretzka firing just wide, but the Reds drew first blood when Davies' cut-back found Müller with the help of a deflection, the native Bavarian finding the net via the inside of the post.

Efforts from distance by Müller and Goretzka went wide, but Bayern twisted the knife when Kimmich crashed into the low corner of the net. Lewandowski hit the post following a corner, and the sides turned round with Bayern two goals up.

Decimated but victorious

The second half began with a setback, Pavard upending former FCB man Julian Green and receiving marching orders for a challenge as last man. Neuer was called into action more frequently now, but Bayern were unimpressed by the red card.

Lewandowski saw a shot saved but Munich put the game to bed midway through the second half, Griesbeck trying to clear following Kimmich's free-kick but putting through his own goal. Neuer denied Ambiama before Itten pulled one back for Fürth when he headed in, and Schröder blew for full-time.

The result takes Bayern onto 16 points from six matches, three clear of Wolfsburg, who take on Hoffenheim on Saturday. Bayern will be back in action on Wednesday, when they entertain Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.comby Greg Salmen