Bayern dominates Bayer, goes top

Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday night by comfortably seeing off last season's runners-up Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena.

Thomas Muller put Bayern in front in the fifth minute and former Manchester City defender Daniel van Buyten added the second in the 19th minute as the Bavarians warmed up well for their Champions League clash with Roberto Mancini's side on Tuesday.

Arjen Robben came off the bench to make it three late on and seal Bayern's sixth straight Bundesliga win.

Bayern went ahead after just five minutes. Franck Ribery raced into the penalty area with the ball glued to his feet before squaring it to Muller, who scored from close range.

Mario Gomez, who was back in the side after missing the trip to Schalke last weekend due to a groin injury, could have made it two just moments later, but uncharacteristically shot wide from close range.

Van Buyten added the second in the 19th minute with a powerful 25-yard drive from a free-kick which left Bernd Leno little chance in the Leverkusen goal.

The visitors may have feared falling to a similar fate as Freiburg, who were beaten 7-0 by Bayern a few weeks ago.

Just reaching the interval without conceding another goal was a major achievement and the tone was not much different in the second half either.

Bayern continued to dominate the game until coach Jupp Heynckes decided the win was secure enough to enable him to start resting players in view of Tuesday's clash with City.

Gomez was first to leave the field in the 65th minute while Robben was brought on just over 10 minutes later to give him some action after a month on the sidelines.

And the Dutchman finished off the scoring in the last minute with a burst of pace down the right and a well-placed shot over the advancing Leno.