Bayern Munich 3 - 1 Darmstadt: Bayern Munich move 11 points clear at Bundesliga summit with win over Darmstadt

Posted Sunday, February 21, 2016 by PA

Bayern Munich came from behind to beat Darmstadt 3-1 and move 11 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Sandro Wagner gave the visitors the lead against the run of play after 26 minutes, but Thomas Muller brought Bayern level early in the second half and from then on there was only one winner.

Muller got Bayern in front with his second goal in the 71st minute and the Bundesliga's top-scorer Robert Lewandowski sealed victory six minutes from time.

Arjen Robben had two early looks for Bayern before Rafinha blazed an effort into the side-netting with the hosts wasting no time asserting their authority on the game.

Lewandowski twice went within inches of turning crosses in before he put Robben clean through on goal, but the Dutchman shot straight at Darmstadt goalkeeper Mathenia.

Within minutes, Darmstadt launched their first attack of the match, and opened the scoring.

Wagner, who came through Bayern's youth scheme, failed to turn in a cross from the left, but he got back on his feet to head in Sandro Sirigu's cross from the right and give Darmstadt a shock lead.

Douglas Costa struck the crossbar as Bayern immediately resumed their attacking football, and they almost levelled on the stroke of half-time when Robben's shot slid through Christian Mathenia's hands but it cleared the crossbar.

The equaliser arrived within four minutes of the restart, though, with Muller taking Rafinha's cross down on his chest before turning the ball in with the aid of a deflection.

There were cheers for Franck Ribery as he made his first appearance since December due to a thigh injury, with coach Pep Guardiola sending another attacking player on in a bid to turn one point into three.

The home team's non-stop pressure finally paid off, with Muller again taking the ball down on his chest with his back to goal before turning it in to put Bayern ahead with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Lewandowski added his name to the scoresheet for the 22nd time this season to seal the triumph in the 84th mimute, turning in Ribery's cross from close range.