Thomas Mueller scored twice as Bayern Munich moved 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win at Hannover.
Mueller converted from the penalty spot on 61 minutes to give Pep Guardiola’s side a 2-1 lead before heading home his second from substitute Franck Ribery’s cross on 72 minutes as Bayern ran out comfortable winners.
Hiroshi Kiyotake had given the home side a shock lead when he slotted beyond Manuel Neuer on 25 minutes, but the lead only lasted around three minutes with Xabi Alonso flicking a free-kick over the wall and into the net for the equaliser on 28 minutes.
Guardiola raised a few eyebrows when he decided to send on Robert Lewandowski for Dante four minutes later, but it seemed to pay off with the Poland forward earning the penalty when he was deemed to have been fouled by Marcelo.
Replays showed it to be a dreadful decision from the referee with Lewandowski himself guilty of dangerous play with his head only a yard or so off the ground in trying to head home.
It was not the game’s pivotal moment with Bayern well in control. They move 11 points clear at the top of the standings after nearest challengers Wolfsburg lost 1-0 at Augsburg.