Bayern Munich 3-1 Mainz: Bayern top of Bundesliga after Mainz comeback victory

Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga on Friday night thanks to a 3-1 comeback win at Mainz.

Two goals from Robert Lewandowski and an Arjen Robben strike cancelled out Jhon Cordoba's opener as Bayern gained revenge for a 2-1 home defeat to Mainz in April and returned to the league's summit, at least for a night.

A narrow win over Bayer Leverkusen a week ago had left many doubts still lingering after Bayern went three games without a win and those came to the surface again when Cordoba put the hosts in front after just three minutes.

Yunus Malli sent him through and he kept his cool with only Manuel Neuer to beat, sending a low shot past the Bayern and Germany No 1.

Rather than crumble, though, Bayern lifted themselves up immediately and were back on terms within five minutes with Lewandowski beating Jonas Lossl from Robben's pass.

Without truly asserting themselves on the game, Bayern nonetheless took charge and that was reflected in the scoreline in the 21st minute when Thomas Muller's cross was met by Robben's diving header.

Robben wasted a one-on-one with Lossl, after Muller had earlier missed a great opportunity to open his account for the season, and few could have doubted that Bayern deserved their half-time lead.

The lively Karim Onisiwo tried to breathe life into Mainz in the second half, and his runs did help relieve the pressure, but chances were few and far between for the hosts.

Instead, Bayern continued to miss opportunities to wrap up victory until deep into stoppage time, when Lewandowski curled a direct free-kick over the wall and out of Lossl's reach to seal Bayern victory and a return to the top of the standings.