Bayern Munich beats Bayer Leverkusen to open 2018

Bayern Munchen defeated Bayer Leverkusen by a score of 3-1 in their Bundesliga fixture.

BERLIN — The Bundesliga resumed Friday after the winter break with Bayern Munich going 14 points clear after a 3-1 win at Bayer Leverkusen.

Goals from Javi Martinez and Franck Ribery in either half, and a brilliant free kick from James Rodriguez in injury time kept the defending champions on course for a record-extending sixth consecutive title.

It was Leverkusen’s first defeat at home this season, and ended a 12-game unbeaten run.

Leverkusen went close early on when Dominik Kohr headed just wide, and Leon Bailey wasted a good chance on a counterattack. But Martinez pounced to open the scoring for Bayern off the rebound after Sven Bender had blocked Arturo Vidal’s header from a corner.

Bailey hit the crossbar early in the second half after turning Niklas Suele one way and then another, before Thomas Mueller went close at the other end.

Ribery let fly with a shot inside the near post to make it 2-0 just before the hour mark.

Bayern seemed to be in control but Kevin Volland pulled one back for Leverkusen with a deflected shot and suddenly the home side was pressing for more with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Volland had a good opportunity to equalize but his first touch let him down and Jerome Boateng was able to clear, while Lucas Alario also went close for Leverkusen.

Coach Jupp Heynckes sent on winter signing Sandro Wagner for his second Bayern debut – he made four Bundesliga appearances for the senior side in the 2007-08 season – but James stole the limelight with his perfect free kick into the corner.

Second-place Schalke is away to Leipzig on Saturday.

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