Bayern Munich returned to winning ways after beating Hannover 3-1 on two second-half goals while Hoffenheim upset runner up Leipzig 4-0 on the brace from Serge Gnabry at the 14th round in Bundesliga.
The German giants overcame resilient newly promoted Hannover 3-1 as second half goals from Kingsley Coman and Robert Lewandowski separated the two sides on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency.
After losing 2-1 to Monchengladbach at the 13th round, Bayern Munich took immediately the reins against Hannover to break the deadlock with 17 minutes played as Arturo Vidal headed home Thomas Mueller's cross.
Robert Lewandowski's effort found the back of the net seven minutes later. However, it wasn't the 2-0 lead as referee Guido Winkmann disallowed the goal because of an offside position after consultation with the video referee.
Hannover had then, out of the blue, the chance to restore parity as Bayern goalie Sven Ulreich felled Felix Klaus inside the box.
Niclas Fuellkrueg stepped up and converted the subsequent penalty, which was disallowed due to encroaching. Fuellkrueg had to step up again and saw his effort saved by Ulreich in the 28th minute.
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The "Reds" remained unimpressed and levelled the scores moments later when Charlison Benschop nodded home Matthias Osterzolek's corner to secure the 1-1 before the break.
After the restart, Bayern assumed control and produced clear-cut opportunities through James Rodriguez, who came close twice, and substitute Corentin Tolisso, who tested Hannover goalkeeper Philipp Tschauner from promising position.
Bayern's efforts paid off in the 67th minute when Kingsley Coman capitalized on a deflection to hammer the 2-1 lead into the roof of the net. Lewandowski sealed the deal in the dying minutes of the game as he made no mistake to convert a penalty from the spot.
Hoffenheim bounced back from a two-game losing streak after crushing runner-up Leipzig 4-0 on home soil.
Leipzig controlled the ball in the opening period but it were nonetheless the hosts, who opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Lukas Rupp teed up for Nadiem Amiri, whose low shot found the far post corner.
Hoffenheim remained on the front foot and doubled the lead but Rupp's goal was flagged by reason of an offside position. With the lead behind, Hoffenheim focused on counter attacks but Leipzig lacked in penetration to pose any threat.
The hosts ensured a bright start into the second half as Serge Gnabry had all time and space to double the lead eight minutes into the second half.
Gnabry remained in the thick of things as he shocked the guests with a lob from the midfield, over Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, to triple the lead in the 62nd minute.
In the closing period, things went from bad to worse for the runner up Leipzig as Mark Uth provided the fourth goal of the afternoon to put the result beyond doubt.
With the victory, Hoffenheim jumped on the fifth position whereas Leipzig continue on the second place.
--IANS
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