adminSUBSTITUTE Mario Gotze scored on his return to Borussia Dortmund as Bayern Munich preserved their four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
Gotze, who joined Bayern for £31.5m in the summer and was jeered throughout, prodded home 10 minutes after his introduction in the 56th minute.Arjen Robben broke clear and chipped in a second with five minutes remaining.
And Thomas Muller guided in a low shot from Philipp Lahm’s cross as Bayern produced a ruthless finish.
Gotze’s move from Dortmund, who finished runners-up to Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League last season, has been held up as the perfect example of the Bavarian club’s suffocating power over the rest of the Bundesliga.
The 21-year-old received a predictably angry welcome from his former club’s fans, even choosing to warm up in the tunnel at one point.
But he took little time to remind Dortmund of his quality and, although he refused to celebrate, Gotze’s contribution set Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten side on their way to a significant victory that moves them seven points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Robben and Muller added late goals to give the scoreline a comprehensive feel that was harsh on a Dortmund team that impressed despite a lengthy injury list. The hosts made a bright start, with Jakub Blaszczykowski threading a second-minute pass through only for Robert Lewandowski to thump over from close range.
Bayern slowly took the ascendancy but were restricted to a wild Toni Kroos effort before Mario Mandzukic failed to get a firm touch on a fine ball from Robben.-BBC.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu