BERLIN – Robert Lewandowski bagged his 15th goal in 16 league games as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich went nine points clear despite struggling to beat bottom side Cologne 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Poland hot-shot has failed to score in only four of Bayern’s league matches this season and has netted 21 goals in all competitions.
With an hour gone at the Allianz Arena, Bayern went ahead when Thomas Mueller flicked the ball with the back of his head into Lewandowski’s path to tap home.
Bayern have won 13 of their 14 games since Jupp Heynckes replaced Carlo Ancelotti as coach at the start of October.
In contrast, Cologne are waiting for their first league win of the season.
Their club bosses are already planning for life in the second division with the team now 13 points from safety.
In Gelsenkirchen, Schalke went second despite throwing away a two-goal lead in their thrilling 3-2 win at home to Augsburg.
Argentinian striker Franco di Santo gave them the lead with a deft backheel on 44 minutes, then Austria striker Guido Burgstaller made it 2-0 just after the break.
A header by Brazilian midfielder Caiuby and a Michael Gregoritsch penalty pulled it back to 2-2 on 79 minutes before Daniel Caligiuri converted the winning penalty for Schalke seven minutes from time.
Four home wins, and that's a wrap for our midweek #Bundesliga action.
We'll see you again at the weekend! pic.twitter.com/Jcksl8mUfD
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) December 13, 2017
In falling snow in Berlin, veteran former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou struck twice as mid-table Hertha Berlin won 3-1 against Hanover 96.
The 31-year-old Ivory Coast striker headed home on 18 minutes, then got on the end of a free kick a minute before the break to make it 2-0.
Hanover scored a consolation goal through Togo forward Ihlas Bebou on 65 minutes before 20-year-old defender Jordan Torunarigha scored Hertha’s third.
Argentina striker Lucas Alario claimed Bayer Leverkusen’s winner as they saw off Werder Bremen 1-0 to claim fourth.