Bayern Munich have extended their winning streak to 17 Bundesliga matches courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena.
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The hosts almost took the lead after just nine minutes when Arjen Robben danced into a shooting position just outside the area, but his low strike was well saved by Bernd Leno.
Leverkusen themselves came close moments later when Son Heung-Min received the ball inside the box before sending his shot just past the post.
The visitors threatened again on the half-hour mark when a loose ball fell to Simon Rolfes, who unleashed a powerful effort towards goal that drew a fine stop from Manuel Neuer.
Thomas Muller almost found the opening goal in the 39th minute when he let fly from long range, only to see his strike move just past the post.
The hosts did take the lead before half time, however. Mario Mandzukic nodded Bastian Schweinsteiger's cross into the bottom corner with just a minute to go until the break.
Schweinsteiger got his own name on the scoresheet seven minutes after the restart, hammering home a spectacular long-range free kick that went in off the crossbar.
Bayern almost extended their lead even further with 20 minutes remaining when Toni Kroos got himself into a good position, but his effort was well saved by Leno.
Leverkusen did get a goal back in the closing stages as Roberto Hilbert found Stefan Kiessling to finish, but it was too little too late as Bayern took another step towards the league title.
Barney Corkhill
