BERLIN: Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben scored twice each as the champions crushed Hanover 96 4-0 in the Bundesliga on Saturday to go four points clear at the top as rivals Borussia Dortmund lost to Hamburg SV.

The Bavarians, who have now kept a clean sheet in their last seven games in all competitions having won six, took charge inside 13 minutes through Lewandowski, who controlled a superb Rafinha pass, and Robben after he pounced on a Hanover mistake.

Poland striker Lewandowski, who joined from Dortmund this season, benefited from another superb through ball in the 38th minute, this time form Juan Bernat, for his fourth league goal of the campaign.

Robben also got a second goal, slotting the ball home 11 minutes from time as undefeated Bayern moved up to 17 points, four points clear of unbeaten Hoffenheim, who defeated Schalke 2-1.

Schalke found themselves behind after only 13 minutes as Norway’s Tarik Elyounoussi put the hosts into the lead. Hungary striker Adam Szalai then slotted home their second against his former club on 29 minutes.

Schalke finished with 10 men after Cameroon’s Joel Matip was shown a second yellow and subsequent red before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a late consolation goal.

Bayer Leverkusen dropped to fourth on 12 points after Karim Bellarabi rescued a 2-2 draw at home to ten-man Paderborn. Eintracht Frankfurt joined

them on 12 points after Alexander Meier scored twice in an entertaining 3-2 victory over promoted Cologne.

Meanwhile, Dortmund’s alarming Bundesliga form continued with a 1-0 loss at home to previously winless Hamburg as last season’s runners-up dropped to 13th on seven points.

Pierre-Michel Lasogga’s 35th-minute goal was enough for Hamburg to claim their first win at the seventh attempt and climb off the bottom of the table.

Werder Bremen are still the only team without a win this season and remain in last place after drawing 1-1 at home to Freiburg.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2014