Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 responded to FC Bayern München's win on Friday with convincing victories against SC Freiburg and SV Werder Bremen respectively.

Raúl González scored a hat-trick to take his tally for the season to ten as Schalke recorded an emphatic 5-0 triumph over fifth-placed Bremen. Kyriakos Papadopoulos (67) and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (70) were also on target for Huub Stevens's side, who are joint second with rivals Dortmund, three points adrift of Bayern.

Earlier, Robert Lewandowski gave Dortmund a seventh-minute lead at the Dreisamstadion and although they were pegged back by Jan Rosenthal, İlkay Gündoğan (43), Kevin Grosskreutz (59) and Lewandowski's second (69) ensured a first success in four matches for the Schwarzgelben.

Bayern had established a six-point buffer at the summit by brushing aside 1. FC Köln, Mario Gomez among the scorers with his 16th goal in as many Bundesliga outings this term.

It was miserable day for UEFA Champions League contenders Bayer 04 Leverkusen, however, Robin Dutt's men succumbing 3-0 at home to lowly 1. FC Nürnberg. Leverkusen, who were seven games unbeaten in all competitions, remain sixth but are now 11 points off the pace.