Bayern move nine points clear after win over Bochum

Bayern Munich moved nine points clear in the Bundesliga with seven games to play after showing character to match their quality in a 3-1 win at home to Bochum yesterday.

Bayern, heading for a 21st German league title, went behind to a long-range shot from Mimoun Azaouagh in the fourth minute and they were in deeper trouble when Mark van Bommel was red-carded in the 27th minute.

The Bavarians began the fightback with a Lucio header four minutes later before a second-half Franck Ribery penalty and a late strike from Christian Lell saw them home.

"We showed unbelievable spirit to turn the game around," coach Ottmar Hitzfeld told Premiere TV.

Bayern have 57 points from 27 games, followed by Schalke 04 on 48 after their 1-0 win at home to Hansa Rostock on Saturday.

Hamburg, beaten 1-0 at resurgent VfB Stuttgart on Saturday, drop to third with 47, ahead of Werder Bremen on goal difference after their 2-1 win at Hertha Berlin.

Stuttgart climb to fifth on 45 points, with Bayern Leverkusen sixth on 44 after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund yesterday.