Bayern Munich's French star Franck Ribery hit the winner in a 1-0 victory at Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday to put Ottmar Hitzfeld's team back on top of the German league table.
Werder Bremen's 2-1 victory against Hamburg the previous day meant Bayern were temporarily ousted from the lead, but Ribery's 22nd-minute effort restored their superiority. It was Ribery's fourth league goal for Bayern.
Bayern were happy to sit on their lead and contain Bielefeld, who lie in just 14th spot with one victory in their last 10 matches.
South African striker Sibusiso Zuma nearly opened the scoring for Bielefeld just before the goal, but the ball hit 'keeper Oliver Kahn's left hand post.
It was a welcome victory for Bayern, who have now just won two matches in their last seven, in all competitions, since Oct. 28.
With just two matches to go to the winter break, Bayern lead with 34 points from second-placed Bremen on 33 and third-placed Hamburg on 30.
Sunday's other matches saw Duisburg, who beat Nuremberg 1-0, rise off bottom spot leaving Energie Cottbus rooted to the foot of the table.
RSS