Bayern hold nerve to beat Wolfsburg

Bayern Munich held on to win 2-1 at home to VfL Wolfsburg yesterday thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski and Mark van Bommel.

The result means Bayern make up a couple of points on second-placed VfB Stuttgart, who were held to a goalless draw at home to Hertha Berlin on Friday.

Bayern took the lead when Podolski stroked home a penalty in the 26th minute and Dutch midfielder Van Bommel struck the second from long range in the 56th.

Wolfsburg got one back when Cedrick Makiadi scored on the rebound with 11 minutes to go.

Schalke 04, who host Bayer Leverkusen today, are top with 49 points from 22 games ahead of Stuttgart on 45 from 23.

Werder Bremen, third with 42 points, are also in action today at bottom club Borussia Moenchen-gladbach.

Bayern Munich stay fourth on 40 points.

The champions wanted a convincing win to boost morale after a 3-2 Champions League defeat at Real Madrid in midweek - their third loss in four games under recalled coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

As it was, they were grateful just to get the three points since Wolfsburg enjoyed the better of the first half and came back strongly at the end.

Oliver Kahn made a good save from a Marcelinho free-kick in the 10th minute and from the ensuing corner the keeper had to pull off an even better one from a point-blank Alexander Madlung header.

Bayern then looked a bit lucky to win a penalty decision, as Claudio Pizarro fell under Madlung's challenge.

Podolski stepped up to score only his second league goal of a disappointing first season at Bayern.

Wolfsburg continued to make the better chances and only a miraculous tackle stopped them equalising just before halftime, Andreas Goerlitz somehow managing to tackle cleanly from behind to stop Diego Klimowicz walking the ball into the net.

Bayern played much better at the start of the second half and cooler finishing from Podolski would have put them clear.

They eventually doubled their lead with Van Bommel's low drive but continued to miss chances and when Makiadi pounced on a block from Philipp Lahm and beat Kahn from close range it made for a tense final few minutes.

"The important thing is the result," said a relieved Hitzfeld.

"Oliver Kahn kept us in it at the start and in the end we deserved it because we had far more chances."