Bayern Munich restored their lead at the top of the Bundesliga once more after comfortably seeing off Eintracht Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena, avenging their humiliating 5-1 loss to the same opponent at the start of the season.
Thomas Muller and Alphonso Davies were once again pivotal figures for Bayern Munich as the champions saw off Eintracht Frankfurt 5-2 on Saturday, restoring their four-point cushion at the Bundesliga summit ahead of Tuesday's Klassiker.
Muller and Davies have been revelations for Bayern this term and both were as crucial as ever with a goal and an assist each, though their side's defending left plenty to be desired prior to a potentially pivotal match against Borussia Dortmund.
There was nothing surprising about the pattern of the first period at the Allianz Arena, however, and Bayern were fully deserving of their comfortable half-time lead of 2-0, the excellent Muller setting up Leon Goretzka before then getting on the scoresheet himself.
Defensive lapses early in the second half showed a chink in Bayern's armour, however, as Martin Hinteregger netted twice in quick succession from corners after Robert Lewandowski had made it 3-0, but Davies' well-taken goal in the 61st minute was followed by an own goal by Frankfurt's Austrian centre-back to ensure a home victory.
Bundesliga table
Match Events
11' CLOSE! Lewandowski hits the beam
CHANCE! The bar comes to Frankfurt’s rescue! Lewandowski hammers an effort goalwards which Trapp just manages to get a hand on, nudging it onto the woodwork.
17' GOAL! Bayern 1-0 Frankfurt (Goretzka)
WHAT A GOAL! That is outstanding from Bayern, who lead 1-0 thanks to Goretzka! It has certainly been coming, and Muller is the creator with a wonderful cross into the path of the former Schalke star, who makes no mistake with a brilliant first-time finish.
41' GOAL! Bayern 2-0 Frankfurt (Muller)
GOAL! Muller makes it 2-0! After turning provider for the opener, Bayern’s maestro has now got himself on the scoresheet, tucking home from Davies’ cross.
46' GOAL! Bayern 3-0 Frankfurt (Lewandowski)
GOOOOAALLL! IT'S 3-0! Right from the off, Chandler is caught cold at left-back, with Coman getting free and dropping a cross onto the head of Lewandowski, who duly nods home from close range.
52' GOAL! Bayern 3-1 Frankfurt (Hinteregger)
GOAL! Frankfurt have pulled one back! It’s 3-1 now, after Hinteregger rather awkwardly swept home from close range after Boateng’s poor header fell kindly to the Eintracht defender.
55' GOAL! Bayern 3-2 Frankfurt (Hinteregger)
IT’S 3-2! Hinteregger has his second, as he rises highest to connect with the corner and power a brilliant header in off the left-hand upright. It’s game well and truly on!
61' GOAL! Bayern 4-2 Frankfurt (Alphonso Davies)
GOOOOAAALLL!!! It’s 4-2 to Bayern! Well, this wild match just keeps getting crazier. So reliable, so experienced, Fernandes makes a terrible mistake in Frankfurt’s area, laying it on a plate for Davies – who had made a surging run in from the left – to coolly slide home a finish.
68' Neuer makes a decent save
Great goalkeeping from Neuer, who makes a wonderful save to deny Gacinovic from point-blank range. The Bayern captain is making his 399th Bundesliga appearance today.
74' OWN GOAL! Bayern 5-2 Frankfurt (Hinteregger)
OWN GOAL! It’s all gone wrong again for Frankfurt, and it is their earlier goalscorer Hinteregger who has bundled into his own net after Trapp deflected Gnabry’s effort into the defender’s feet. It’s 5-2 to Bayern.