Robert Lewandowski scored twice as champions Bayern Munich laboured to a 3-2 victory over brave bottom club Paderborn on Friday (Saturday AEDT) to go four points clear at the top the German Bundesliga.
Serge Gnabry scored Munich's opener in the 25th minute and then fed Lewandowski in the 70th and 88th, taking the Polish striker's season tally to 25 goals.
His last goal ended the resistance of Paderborn who had earlier levelled twice thanks to goals from Dennis Srbeny, after a big mistake from Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Sven Michel.
Bayern improved to to 49 points, four points ahead of RB Leipzig who face a difficult Saturday (Sunday AEDT) test at sixth-placed Schalke.
Paderborn remain last on 16 points, one behind Fortuna Dusseldorf and Werder Bremen.
Bayern will target improvement next week when they visit Chelsea for a Champions League last 16 tie.
Australian Associated Press
