Bayern Munich handles Frankfurt
Bayern Munich saw off the challenge of title rivals Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on Saturday to make it 10 wins out of 11 in the Bundesliga this season.
Franck Ribery put Bayern in front just before halftime and a David Alaba penalty 15 minutes from time secured the win for the Bavarians, who remain seven points clear of Schalke at the top.
Frankfurt, which remains third, played with confidence but was unable to follow the example of Bayer Leverkusen, which won at the Allianz Arena a fortnight ago.
The visitors presented themselves for a rare top-of-the-table clash in fine form, showing no fear of their opponents and visibly keen to play their own part in the game.
The first chances fell Bayern's way, though, with Arjen Robben finding the side-netting and Ribery finding the offside flag raised as he raced through on goal.
Armin Veh's men missed their first chance of the match in the 18th minute when Stefan Aigner headed over from a good position before Sebastian Rode headed wide.
Kevin Trapp pushed Ribery's shot wide before Alexander Meier sent a header just off target as the play flowed from end to end.
Daniel van Buyten, on for his first appearance of the season after Jerome Boateng limped off, thought he had marked his first game with a goal, but his effort was ruled out before Ribery put Bayern ahead just before the break.
Javi Martinez beat the otherwise reliable Frankfurt offside trap and squared the ball for the Frenchman to slot in from close range.
Bayern almost doubled its lead before the break, but Trapp made two fine saves, first to deny Toni Kroos and then to keep Ribery's follow-up out.
The home side appeared to put its foot down harder in the second half fearing a Frankfurt recovery, and Martinez headed Ribery's cross over the bar in the 65th minute.
Ten minutes later, Bayern was given the chance to make it two when Bastian Schweinsteiger went to ground inside the area and a penalty was given.
Alaba stepped up to convert the spot kick with a determined effort into the right-hand corner, securing yet another win for Jupp Heynckes' men.
Schalke kept pace with Bayern with a 2-1 win at home against Werder Bremen.
Aaron Hunt gave Bremen the lead after 16 minutes but Roman Neustadter equalized in the 59th minute and Julian Draxler scored the decisive goal 10 minutes later.
Defending champions Borussia Dortmund is fourth following a 3-1 victory at bottom-placed Augsburg, which is looking increasingly fragile to stay in the top flight.
Marco Reus fired Dortmund in front in the eighth minute before two second-half goals from Robert Lewandowski put his team in the driving seat.
Sascha Molders grabbed a consolation for Augsburg, but it remains rooted to the foot of the table with just six points from 11 games.
Hamburg managed to claim a goalless draw at Freiburg despite being reduced to 10 men for most of the match.
Hamburg was looking for a third successive away win but its hopes were hit when Paul Scharner was dismissed for a second bookable offense in the 35th minute.
The visitors seemed content to settle for a draw thereafter, though they were given a let-off in the closing stages when Jan Rosenthal's effort came back off a post.
Hoffenheim also had a man sent off but played out a 1-1 draw at Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Robbie Kruse gave Dusseldorf the lead after four minutes and Joselu equalized in the 39th minute.
The visitors then had Marvin Compper sent off in the 51st minute but held on for the point.
Information from Press Association was used in this report.
