Gomez keeps Bayern top

Bayern Munich stayed top of the German league yesterday as Mario Gomez claimed his 17th goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg, but Borussia Dortmund and Schalke are both hard on their heels.

Japan winger Shinji Kagawa scored twice in Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Hoffenheim, while Schalke’s 4-1 win at Cologne means there is a three-way tie with Dortmund, Schalke and Bayern on 40 points.

Munich stay top by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Germany striker Gomez has now scored 17 goals in 18 league games this season, as Bayern bounced back from their shock 3-1 defeat at Borussia M’gladbach with a win over Wolves.

The 26-year-old fired home at Munich’s Allianz Arena with an hour on the clock after France winger Franck Ribery was fouled and Gomez converted a free-kick from Germany team-mate Toni Kroos.

Dutch winger Arjen Robben added Bayern’s second in the 92nd minute when the ball went in off his stomach after a lob from Croatia striker Ivica Olic.

Dortmund stay second after their home win over Hoffenheim, with Kagawa in dazzling form for the hosts.

The champions suffered bad news in mid-week when it was revealed teenage midfield star Mario Goetze will be out for up to eight weeks with a groin injury.

But Kagawa teamed up with Kevin Grosskreutz to compensate and the Japan star put Dortmund ahead after just 16 minutes before Grosskreutz slotted home the hosts’ second after 31 minutes.

The pair then combined for the stunning third goal, when a crisp back-heel from Grosskreutz fell into Kagawa’s path and he fired home from close range on 55 minutes.

Fabian Johnson scored a 63rd-minute consolation for Hoffenheim, but it was too little, too late.

Schalke came from behind to record a 4-1 win at 10-man Cologne to stay third after Germany striker Lukas Podolski gave the hosts an early lead.

The Royal Blues got back in the game when Romanian striker Ciprian Marica netted with headers on 60 and 72 minutes.

Cologne’s problems were compounded when defender Miso Brecko was sent off for fouling Schalke’s Julian Draxler in the area and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted the penalty on 78 minutes.

Midfielder Marco Hoeger completed the rout with a late strike.

Results
Augsburg vs Kaiserslautern 2-2; B. Munich vs Wolfsburg 2-0; Cologne vs Schalke 1-4; B. Dortmund vs Hoffenheim 3-1; Hertha Berlin vs Hamburg 1-2; W. Bremen vs B. Leverkusen 1-1.

Today: 15.30 Mainz vs Freiburg; 17.30 Stuttgart vs B. M’gladbach.

Standings: B. Munich, B. Dortmund, Schalke 04 40; B. M’gladbach 36; W. Bremen 31; B. Leverkusen 30; Hanover 27; Hoffenheim, Wolfsburg 23; Stuttgart, Hamburg 22; Nuremberg, Cologne 21; H. Berlin 20; Mainz, Kaiserslautern 18; Augsburg, Freiburg 16.