Robben hat-trick keeps Bayern top

FC Bayern München returned to the Bundesliga summit on Saturday evening by hitting Hannover 96 for seven after title rivals FC Schalke 04 had temporarily claimed top spot with an earlier victory against VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Arjen Robben was Bayern's inspiration as Louis van Gaal's side sounded a warning to Olympique Lyonnais ahead of their UEFA Champions League semi-final opener on Wednesday. Ivica Olić headed Bayern in front (21) from Diego Contento's cross, and nine minutes later it was 2-0 as Robben showed an exquisite touch to lob the ball over Florian Fromlowitz from the edge of the area.

Scorer turned provider on 44, Müller making no mistake from close range after being picked out by the Dutchman. Both players were involved in Olić's second (49) before Robben (50) and Müller (62) each found the net again with fine finishes. Robben completed his hat-trick in added time, restoring Bayern's two-point advantage over Schalke after the Ruhr club won for the first time in three matches.

Ivan Rakitić (8) fired Schalke in front with a thunderous shot from outside the area. Raúl Bobadilla equalised on 16 in some style, beating two defenders in the air before outsmarting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Mönchengladbach were undone by a Jefferson Farfán goal on the stroke of half-time, and there was no way back when Rakitić (47) converted a penalty.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen appear to be out of the title race after Cacau scored five minutes from time to earn VfB Stuttgart a 2-1 home win which lifts them into sixth, above Hamburger SV following their 1-0 home defeat by 1. FSV Mainz 05. Werder Bremen joined Leverkusen on 54 points by overturning a 2-1 half-time deficit to defeat VfL Wolfsburg 4-2.

At the other end, SC Freiburg are now level with 1. FC Nürnberg on 28 points after beating their relegation rivals 2-1, the same total as VfL Bochum 1848 after they lost 2-0 at 1. FC Köln on Friday.