Goals from Robert Lewandowski and Philipp Lahm secured a 2-0 win as Bayern Munich beat FC Ingolstadt 04 this afternoon to move eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Ingolstadt created the better chances in a frustrating first half for Pep Guardiola's side, but Bayern broke the resistance with two goals in nine second-half minutes to clinch an eighth successive home win in the league.
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It was no surprise to see Bayern dominate possession for long spells, but the hosts lacked a cutting edge to their play for much of the first half and their only opening before the break ended with Marvin Matip blocking Robert Lewandowski's strike.
Ingolstadt attacked on the break at pace to trouble the hosts, and only an impressive piece of defending from Lahm prevented Pascal Gross from finishing off a counter-attack from close range.
After Lahm had rescued Bayern once, Manuel Neuer was then forced into action to get a strong hand to a powerful strike from Stefan Lex.
Bayern started the second half strongly, but Ingolstadt survived a spell on the back foot as Lahm shot straight at Ramazan Ozcan before Lewandowski sent an effort over the crossbar.
Just as the champions appeared to be taking control, Ingolstadt created the best chance of the game as Lex found space in the box for the shot which Neuer somehow managed to tip wide of the target.
Guardiola's side capitalised to take the lead when a defence-splitting pass from Jerome Boateng allowed Lewandowski to convert from a tight angle.
Bayern quickly took control after breaking the Ingolstadt resistance, and it was left to the captain to wrap up the win as Lahm finished a counter-attack by firing home following good work from Thomas Muller, who burst into the box to invite Ozcan off his line.
Callum Mulvihill
