Bayern Munich too much for Hannover 96 4-0

Robert Lewandowski and Arjen Robben star as Bayern Munich beat Hannover

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

The Bavarians needed only 13 minutes to tighten their grip on the game, scoring first through Poland’s Lewandowski after only six minutes and doubling their lead seven minutes later as Robben pounced on a Hanover mistake.

Lewandowski, who joined from Dortmund this season, benefited from a superb through ball in the 38th minute form Juan Bernat, for his fourth league goal of the campaign. Robben also go this second goal, slotting in 11 minutes from time as undefeated Bayern moved up to 17 points.

“Maybe it was our best performance yet [this season],” said Robben, who now has 59 goals and 42 assists in 110 Bundesliga games. “We had fun on the pitch and it was also great for our fans. We played very aggressively up front and created a lot of chances. We should have scored even more but 4-0 is good enough.”

Hannover 96 back to winning ways after nipping FC Koln 1-0

Hannover up to third as Hertha get off the mark

Hannover 96 moved up to third in the Bundesliga thanks to a 1-0 win over the hitherto unbeaten 1. FC Köln at the HDI-Arena.

Horn finally beaten

The Reds went in front after only five minutes' play with Joselu turning and shooting past Timo Horn after Jimmy Briand's effort was blocked. Not only was it the first time Horn had been beaten in the Bundesliga, but it was also the earliest goal Köln have conceded since Peter Stöger took charge. The goal gave Tayfun Korkut's men confidence and Marcelo perhaps should have doubled their lead with a volley which he sent over after good work from Leonardo Bittencourt and Leon Andreasen.

Köln responded in kind, pitching their tent in and around the Hannover box for much of the second half, but the hosts had drawn a line that they were not going to let the Billy Goats cross. Ron Robert Zieler was the furthest man behind that line and his authority ensured Hannover's defence was not going to be breached

SC Paderborn continues its amazing run beats Hannover 96 2-0

...when in-form Elias Kachunga struck his third of the season to put the home side ahead

STOPPELKAMP STUNNER DOWNS HANNOVER

Paderborn - Moritz Stoppelkamp scored from 83 metres - a Bundesliga record - to help SC Paderborn 07 to a 2-0 win over Hannover 96 and continue their astonishing start to the season.After two draws at the Benteler Arena, Paderborn began with the urgency required to give their fans a first home win of the season. 

Stoppelkamp was lively in midfield, overrunning Hannover debutant Ceyhun Gülselam, although Hiroshi Kiyotake’s precise shooting remained a threat to the energetic hosts. 

The first real chance went the way of Kiyotake’s side, as Leonardo Bittencourt’s shot in the 23rd minute was well parried by Lukas Kruse. Paderborn make it count Hannover enjoyed more possession as the half wore on, with Manuel Schmiedebach firing a long-range effort wide, although Suleyman Koc’s direct running forced two excellent saves out of Ron-Robert Zieler, before the whistle went for half time. 

Koc and Stoppelkamp remained threats as the second period began, making the most of Hannover’s lack of attacking urgency to tear down the flanks and putting in cross after cross. Until the 70th minute, the visitors' defensive tactics were successful, with Marcelo dominating. 

However, when Mario Vrancic’s free-kick wasn’t cleared, Elias Kachunga was alert at the back post to open the scoring. Paderborn fans were already celebrating their first home win of the season when Stoppelkamp sent them into delirium with an injury-time volley from the edge of his own area to make it 2-0 with one of the most remarkable goals of the season.