Bayern make it 50 unbeaten with Leverkusen scalp

FC Bayern München extended their unbeaten run to 50 Bundesliga outings as they defeated Bayer 04 Leverkusen on a day when Borussia Dortmund came unstuck against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Mario Mandžukić broke the deadlock in Munich on the cusp of half-time, powering in a header after Arjen Robben's inswinging cross, before Bastian Schweinsteiger found the net with a delicious free-kick. Stefan Kiessling's reply prompted a frantic finale, but Josep Guardiola's side did enough to open up a 23-point cushion at the top. 

Earlier, the signs were ominous for second-placed Dortmund when Raffael and Max Kruse steered the visitors into a two-goal lead. Although the pendulum swung in favour of the home team when Håvard Nordtveit was sent off after the break and substitute Miloš Jojić reduced the deficit, Gladbach held their nerve. 

The result left third-placed FC Schalke 04, who came from behind to edge FC Augsburg 2-1 on Friday courtesy of two Klaas-Jan Huntelaar goals, a point behind Jürgen Klopp's men. Elsewhere, Hannover 96 arrested a sequence of five games without a win by sweeping aside Hertha BSC Berlin 3-0, while VfB Stuttgart were held 1-1 at VfL Wolfsburg.

Meanwhile, 1. FSV Mainz 05 powered four unanswered goals past TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in 25 second-half minutes to clinch a 4-2 comeback victory, and bottom side TSV Eintracht Braunschweig secured a 1-1 home draw with VfL Wolfsburg.