Gomez goal gifts Bayern victory at Hoffenheim

FC Bayern München made it ten straight wins in all competitions to restore their 17-point cushion atop the Bundesliga, but they were made to work hard for their 1-0 success at relegation-threatened TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Jupp Heynckes' runaway leaders had scored 12 goals in their last three league games but were kept at bay for long spells at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. However, Mario Gomez's 38th-minute strike was enough to ensure a winning response to second-placed Borussia Dortmund's Saturday success against Hannover 96.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's free-kick forced Heurelho Gomes to tip around the post early on, while at the other end Daniel Williams twice went close, failing to turn in a Kevin Volland free-kick before firing a powerful drive just wide from outside the area.

Franck Ribéry sent Gomez clear before the break and the German international's clipped finish was enough to put the visitors ahead. Another Bundesliga record fell as Bayern held out to make it 584 minutes without conceding a goal away from home. Things are not so rosy for Hoffenheim, as a fourth consecutive defeat leaves them 11 points from safety.

Elsewhere, 1. FSV Mainz 05 were unable to move into the UEFA Europa League places after drawing at Fortuna Düsseldorf. The hosts went ahead courtesy of a Bo Svensson own goal, before Ivan Klasnić's equaliser earned a 1-1 result for Mainz, who remain eighth.