Goals from Thomas Müller, Ivica Olic and Mario Gomez were enough for the Bavarian giants to run out comfortable winners on match day 14 at the AWD arena and keep the pressure on the teams at the top of the table.

Early pressure

Both teams started brightly in the opening exchanges. Pranjic perhaps should've opened the scoring for the visitors after just two minutes following a good cross from Thomas Müller, but the Croatian's first touch was too heavy. The hosts responded instantly as Rosenthal controlled the game for Hannover in centre of midfield. Djakpa too looked dangerous on the left hand side and was unlucky not to be rewarded with an assist as Hannover probed for an opening.

On 11 minutes Müller found himself almost one on one with the keeper, after a fumbled pass from Gomez. The youngster's shot was matched by an impressive save from Florian Fromlowitz. However, Louis van Gaal's side were finally rewarded just short of the twenty minute mark and the guests made it look all too easy. Olic was allowed to work his way into the box from the left hand side and his square pass across the six yard box found Müller once again, who tapped into the empty net.

Hosts respond

The goal didn't stop Andreas Bergmann's Hannover from playing attacking football. Rosenthal was unlucky not to find the equaliser shortly after 30 minutes. Jiri Stajner's cross fizzed across the six yard box and was met by the midfielder's header at the near post forcing a solid save from Butt in the Bayern goal.

Almost ten minutes later Butt was once again equal to the Hannover threat as he parried Constant Djakpa's thunderous volley and just a minute before the half time whistle the Ivorian was unlucky again as Butt once more forced his shot behind for a corner.

Hannover shocked

It took the Bavarians two minutes to extend their lead after the restart. Pranjic found himself in acres of space on the left wing and his pin point cross gave Olic a free header. The Croatian obliged to secure his first goal following a seven week absence due to injury. From then on the hosts struggled to create up front as Bayern became increasingly content to sit back and protect their lead.

Only after 61 minutes did Hannover again show what they are capable of. Rosenthal's pass allowed Bruggink a free shot from within the penalty area as the Bayern defence crumbled for the first time. Once again it was Jörg Butt who prevented the home side from reducing the deficit.

Bayern seal the deal

Barely five minutes later and it was Hannover who had their keeper to thank for preventing a less flattering score line. After some confusion in the box the ball fell to Müller on the penalty spot under little pressure. Only a strong palmed save from Fromlowitz stopped the visitors from taking a three goal lead. In the final seconds Mario Gomez finally confirmed the victory for the guests. Substitute Baumjohann played the German international through on goal and the striker placed the ball past a helpless Fromlowitz with ease.

Three points for Bayern sees them move up to fourth with a better goal difference than Hamburger SV. Louis van Gaal's side are now six points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga. Hannover remain in 12th on 16 points.

Hannover: Fromlowitz - Pinto, Haggui, C. Schulz, Rausch - Balitsch - Rosenthal, Djakpa - Bruggink - Stajner, Ya Konan

Bayern: Butt - Lahm, van Buyten, Demichelis, Badstuber - Schweinsteiger, van Bommel - T. Müller, Pranjic - Gomez, Olic

Goals: Müller 0-1 (19'), Olic 0-2 (47'), Gomez 0-3 (90')

Referee: Thorsten Kinhöfer

Attendance: 49,000 (AWD arena)

Vince Hughes