Relentless Bayern move ten points clear

FC Bayern München strode ten points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after an impressive 2-0 victory at third-placed VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Josep Guardiola's side had dropped a mere four points in their first 16 league games before the winter break and they continued where they left off with another convincing display at Borussia-Park, the win coming courtesy of goals early in either half from Mario Götze and Thomas Müller.

It took only seven minutes for Bayern to restate their domestic and European credentials as Götze, who had struck a post moments earlier, majestically swept in Müller's cut-back. The home side regrouped and displayed the quality that had seen them competing in the top echelons of the division in the final ten minutes of the half with Max Kruse driving against an upright on 40 minutes.

Marc-André ter Stegen made a fine double save from Götze after the restart only for Granit Xhaka's handball in the aftermath to present Bayern with a penalty, which Müller converted by sending the custodian the wrong way. Lucien Favre's charges continued to press but they could find no way past Manuel Neuer and were forced to relinquish their unbeaten home record in the league this season.