Patrick Herrmann notched a brace as Borussia Monchengladbach beat Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich 3-1 to move within a point of top spot.

Herrmann brace and Reus opener sink Bundesliga leaders

Patrick Herrmann notched a brace as Borussia Monchengladbach beat Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich 3-1 to move within a point of top spot. Marco Reus also scored as the league resumed after a one-month winter break, while Bastian Schweinsteiger netted a consolation for the visitors. The hosts needed a rare, yet spectacular, Manuel Neuer blunder to take the lead in the 11th minute when the Bayern keeper's pass only found Reus, who had little trouble firing into an empty net from 30 metres for his 11th goal of the season. The home side then struck on the break in the 41st minute with Mike Hanke sending Herrmann through with a long pass for the 20-year-old to beat Neuer with a low drive. Herrmann combined with Reus in another quick break after 72 minutes to coolly round Neuer and tap in his second goal of the night. Schweinsteiger cut the deficit with a close-range shot six minutes later but it was scant consolation for the visitors, who lacked spark and spirit throughout. The result lifted Gladbach into second place on 36 points from 18 games after a league double over the leaders.