Bundesliga
Joshua Kimmich scored one and assisted two as Bayern Munich swept aside Hannover with a crushing win that keeps the pressure on unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Goals: 0-1 Kimmich (2’), 0-2 Alaba (29’), 0-3 Gnabry 53’, 0-4 Lewadowski (64’)
Had it been a boxing match, Bayern would have scored a first-round knockout. The contest was only two minutes old when Kimmich connected with Thomas Müller’s inventive flick, setting the tone with a thunderous 18-yard volley that sailed into the bottom corner. Hannover staggered to their feet as Müller and Robert Lewandowski stung the palms of Michael Esser, before David Alaba landed another lusty blow, arrowing in from Kimmich to put Bayern two goals up at the break.
It got worse for Hannover in the second half as Serge Gnabry powered into the area and swept under Esser at the second time of asking for Bayern’s third. Esser pulled off an exceptional save to deny Müller’s near-post header, but was powerless to prevent Lewandowski glancing in Kimmich’s inviting right-wing cross six minutes later. Bayern played a chastening game of cat and mouse with their prostrate hosts for the remainder, a third successive Bundesliga win long in the bag.
Hannover: Esser – Felipe (Maina 46’), Anton (c), Wimmer, Ostrzolek – Haraguchi, Walace, Schwegler – Asano (Muslija 63’) – Füllkrug (Elez 73’), Weydandt
Unused subs: Tschauner, Albornoz, Bakalorz, Wood
Out: Hübers, (knee) Prib (knee), Sarenren Bazee (concussion), Hübers, (knee) Prib (knee), Sarenren Bazee (concussion), Bebou (hamstring)
Coach: Andre Breitenreiter
Bayern: Neuer (c) – Kimmich, Süle, Boateng, Alaba (Rafinha 73’) – Thiago, Goretzka – Gnabry, Müller (Wagner 79’), Coman (Sanches 73’) – Lewandowski
Unused subs: Ulreich, Martinez, Boateng, Jeong
Out: James (knee), Robben (thigh), Tolisso (knee)
Coach: Niko Kovac