FC Bayern Munchen secured an eighth successive Bundesliga victory, winning 3-1 away against reigning champions VfL Wolfsburg to join Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 45 points at the top of the table.

Louis van Gaal's side were ahead within two minutes, Arjen Robben racing in to finish from Thomas Müller's ball, while Daniel Van Buyten plundered a second from Ivica Olić's headed pass after Wolfsburg failed to clear a Robben corner. Franck Ribéry made it 3-0 just before the hour mark and to add to the hosts misery, Jörg Butt saved a Grafite penalty on 66 minutes, though the Brazilian did head home a consolation goal in the closing seconds.

With Leverkusen only managing a 1-1 draw at VfL Bochum 1848, Bayern's result meant that only goal difference keeps the BayArena side top of the standings, and there was further good news for the Bavarians as third-placed FC Schalke 04 were held to a goalless draw at SC Freiburg. Elsewhere, Ruud van Nistelrooy made a brief cameo appearance late on in Hamburger SV's 3-3 draw at 1. FC Köln, while TSG 1899 Hoffenheim beat Hannover 96 2-1.

On Friday, Werder Bremen kicked off the Bundesliga weekend with a 2-1 victory against rock-bottom Hertha BSC Berlin, with Claudio Pizarro scoring the winner nine minutes from time. A late Roberto Hilbert goal, meanwhile, gave VfB Stuttgart 2-1 win at 1. FC Nürnberg in Saturday's late fixture.