Makaay breaks goal drought

Bayern Munich surged five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a 3-1 victory at home to closest rivals Werder Bremen yesterday, helped by Roy Makaay's first goal since August 27.

Bremen took the lead inside the first minute with a Miroslav Klose header but Bastian Schweinsteiger equalised soon afterwards and Claudio Pizarro put the champions ahead in the 34th minute.

Dutch international Makaay got the third a minute before the end of the first half, stroking in a Pizarro cross to end his long scoring drought.

Bayern's victory gave them 31 points from 12 games, with Bremen staying second on 26. Hamburg, in third place with 24 points, could trim Bayern's lead by a point if they win at Borussia M'gladbach today.

Schalke 04, runners-up to Bayern last season, won 3-0 at home to Duisburg to keep hold of fourth place on 21 points.

Bremen's early goal set the tone for a frantic first 45 minutes.

Tim Borowski got past Willy Sagnol down the left and, before Bayern knew what had hit them, Klose outjumped Schweinsteiger to become the first player to score against Bayern in a league match at their new stadium.

Pizarro fired against a post and the home side were level by the third minute when Schweinsteiger struck a shot that deflected off Torsten Frings and flew past Andreas Reinke.

Borowski struck the bar with a vicious shot for Bremen and the chances kept coming for both sides.

Sebastian Deisler fired over from a good position for Bayern and moments later Oliver Kahn had to be alert to deflect a Frings cross out of the path of Nelson Valdez.

Bayern's second goal stemmed from a beautifully weighted pass from Schweinsteiger on the left. Ze Roberto was just quick enough to reach it ahead of Patrick Owomo-yela and the Brazilian pulled the ball back for Pizarro to convert.

Pizarro turned provider for the third, racing clear of his marker on the right and crossing for Makaay, who stumbled slightly but still managed to connect well enough to send the ball flying past Reinke.

Makaay, dropped by Marco van Basten from the latest Dutch squad, celebrated with evident relief.

The second half offered less excitement as Bayern sat deeper and gave Bremen just a couple of chances.

Results

B. Leverkusen vs B. Dortmund 2-1
B. Munich vs W. Bremen 3-1
E. Frankfurt vs A. Bielefeld 3-0
Hanover vs Mainz 2-2
H. Berlin vs Kaiserslautern 3-0

Schalke vs Duisburg 3-0
Wolfsburg vs Cologne 1-1
Nuremberg vs Stuttgart today
B. M'gladbach vs Hamburg today