Heynckes praises 'top class' Bayern

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BAYERN Munich coach Jupp Heynckes rated the German Bundesliga leader's performance as "top class" after it hammered Hanover 5-0 to extend its lead at the top of the table to nine points.

"It was a thoroughly deserved victory and we were top class, because we were very assertive and aggressive from the start. We kept it tighter than we have done recently," enthused Heynckes.

"We needed total concentration, especially in defense, but the team showed that brilliantly for 90 minutes."

Bayern ran riot in Munich and set another Bundesliga record of 34 points after the first 13 games while defending champion Borussia Dortmund moved up to second in the table with a 2-1 win at Mainz on Saturday.

Dortmund travels to face Bayern at Munich's Allianz Arena this weekend in a key Bundesliga showdown.

The hosts took the lead with only four minutes gone when Spain midfielder Javi Martinez netted his first goal since his August transfer from Athletic Bilbao.

Germany midfielder Toni Kroos then doubled the Bavarians' lead on 24 minutes then France wing Franck Ribery fired home in the 37th before Brazil center-back Dante made it 4-0 when he met Kroos' free-kick at the far post in the 63rd.

Germany striker Mario Gomez needed just 26 seconds to claim the fifth after coming off the bench on 67 minutes for his first Bayern goal in three months following ankle surgery.

"After such a long time with no football, it's a wonderful feeling to play and score again," he said.

Schalke dropped to third after drawing 1-1 with Eintracht Frankfurt, which is fourth, in Gelsenkirchen.

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