Bayern rout Mainz to top Bundesliga

Bayern rout Mainz to top Bundesliga

BERLIN, Jan. 30 -- Bayern Munich reclaimed the top place of the Bundesliga after the German giants thrashed Mainz 3-0 for their seventh successive league win on Saturday.

Bayern Munich players celebrate a goal against Mainz 05 during their German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich January 30, 2010. Munich won the match 3-0.

Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten headed the hosts' first in the 58th minute and Mario Gomez doubled the score with his ninth goal of the season, slotting home from close range. Arjen Robben then curled in a free kick four minutes from time.

In-form Bayern have now won their last nine matches in all competitions, piling up 42 points from 20 matches in Bundesliga, one ahead of Bayer Leverkusen.

Undefeated Leverkusen can retake the top spot on Sunday when they face Freiburg (1630 GMT).

Third-placed Schalke 04 snatched a 2-0 win over Hoffenheim to move level on 41 points with Leverkusen.

Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi took his goal tally to 11 this season when he grabbed the lead on 19 minutes and Lukas Schmitz made it 2-0 four minutes after the restart with a deflected shot.

Thomas Mueller was brought down in the box in the 32nd minute to win Bayern a penalty, but Bayern's keeper Hans-Joerg Butt's spot kick was denied by Mueller.

Werder Bremen lost 4-3 to Borussia Moenchengladbach, who scored three times in the opening 18 minutes. Coach Thomas Schaaf, whose team has not won in the league since late November, is under mounting pressure with Bremen now 14 points off the pace in sixth place.

A combination of four pictures shows Bayern Munich's coach Louis van Gaal and Arjen Robben celebrating a goal against Mainz 05 during their German Bundesliga first division soccer match in Munich January 30, 2010.

Bottom-placed Hertha Berlin, battling to lift themselves out of the relegation zone, pulled out of a goalless draw against VfL Bochum.
(Reuters)