Bayern back on top after humbling Bremen

FC Bayern München returned to the Bundesliga summit after a 4-1 victory against SV Werder Bremen as the previous top two Borussia Dortmund and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach drew 1-1 to fall a point behind.

Bremen began the day only two points off the summit in fourth and although Markus Rosenberg's 52nd-minute strike cancelled out Franck Ribéry's opening goal, Arjen Robben restored Bayern's advantage from the spot. With 13 minutes left Ribéry struck again before another Robben penalty.

Dortmund and Mönchengladbach had shared the lead at kick-off and the reigning champions looked on course for victory when Robert Lewandowski registered his tenth Bundesliga goal of the campaign late in the first half. But 18 minutes from time Mike Hanke's third strike in two matches ensured a share of the points for Mönchengladbach.

There were four other score draws, lowly pair SC Freiburg and 1. FC Kaiserslautern held 1-1 at home by Hannover 96 and Hertha BSC Berlin respectively, and 1. FSV Mainz 05 ending 2-2 at VfL Wolfsburg as did 1. FC Köln at VfB Stuttgart. Bayer 04 Leverkusen won on Friday and tomorrow FC Schalke 04 will attempt to go fourth by beating bottom team FC Augsburg.