Bundesliga round-up: Bayern Munich back up to second with win
Plus RB Leipzig see off Dusseldorf with ease
Sunday 27 January 2019 20:37, UK
Bayern Munich moved back up to second in the Bundesliga and cut Borussia Dortmund's lead back to six points with a 4-1 home win over Stuttgart.
Dortmund had continued their fine form with a resounding 5-1 win at home to Hannover on Saturday and Bayern were under pressure to hit back at the Allianz Arena.
They made the best possible start as Thiago fired Niko Kovac's side in front after just five minutes but it was to prove a frustrating first period for Bayern.
They failed to capitalise on that strong start and Anastasios Donis' superb strike ensured the sides were level at half-time.
Bayern showed their quality in the second half, getting their noses back in front 10 minutes after the break as Serge Gnabry's shot deflected in off Christian Gentner.
Stuttgart were unfortunate not to level again as Nicolas Gonzalez beat Manuel Neuer with a strike from close range, but the ball bounced off the far post and back into Neuer's arms.
Robert Lewandowski then missed a chance to extend the lead from the penalty spot after being upended by Marc-Oliver Kempf, before Leon Goretzka gave Bayern breathing space by heading in Joshua Kimmich's corner.
Lewandowski made amends by notching his 12th Bundesliga goal of the season to round off the 4-1 win.
Stuttgart remain just three points clear of the relegation zone after suffering a third successive defeat.
In the second Bundesliga match of the day, RB Leipzig moved back into the top four with a resounding 4-0 win at Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Leipzig were three goals to the good inside 16 minutes as Yussuf Poulsen struck twice either side of Ibrahima Konate's effort.
Konrad Laimer extended the margin to four after 68 minutes as Dusseldorf's four-match winning run was brought to a resounding halt.
