Mario Gomez blasted a hat-trick as jubilant Bayern went top of the Bundesliga with a convincing 3-0 victory away to Kaiserslautern on Saturday afternoon, avenging a shock defeat in the corresponding fixture a year ago to the day. There was a difference in class between the teams at times in a one-sided encounter, as the Bavarians go into the international break on the back of a fifth win on the bounce – and a fifth clean sheet to boot.
The boisterous 49,780 capacity crowd at the intimidating Betzenberg stadium saw a breathless first ten minutes with a host of chances for the visitors, but 37 minutes had been played before Gomez netted the opener from the penalty spot. The same player doubled the advantage ten minutes after the restart, putting away the rebound after his second penalty was saved by home keeper Kevin Trapp, and the Germany striker added his third with a simple finish 20 minutes from time. The game ended with the disappointing home side a man down after Ivo Ilicevic received his marching orders for kicking out at Anatoliy Tymoshchuk.
The ultimately comfortable victory means FCB top the Bundesliga standings on nine points from four matches, ahead of Werder Bremen on goal difference, although Gladbach and Hannover can both overtake the top two with wins on Sunday. The bulk of the Bayern squad now head off on international duty for ten days, before reconvening in Munich to prepare for the Bundesliga fixture at home to Freiburg in a fortnight.
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