Thomas Muller Ends Bayern Scoring Drought

Bayern Munich moved back to the top of the Bundesliga with a thumping 5-0 win over beleaguered Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Arjen Robben fired Bayern ahead before in-form Robert Lewandowski scored two close range tap-ins either side of half time. Thomas Muller poked home the fourth goal to end his scoring drought after 999 minutes, before Douglas Costa scored the best of the bunch with a fierce left-footed strike from the edge of the box.#

8 — Carlo Ancelotti again opted for a 4-2-3-1 instead of his tried and trusted 4-3-3, employing Muller more centrally in support of the lethal Lewandowski with “Robbery” (Robben and Ribery) weaving their magic on the wings. Ancelotti’s side look reinvigorated, much happier and more fluid playing this system.

GK Manuel Neuer, 7 — The ever-present goalkeeper easily sealed a first Bundesliga clean sheet in six games, although he did have to be alert to deny Daniel Caligiuri a consolation goal late on.

DF Juan Bernat, 7 — The Spain international earned just his fourth league start and was only denied the opening goal by a brilliant reaction save from the overworked goalkeeper Diego Benaglio after eight minutes.

DF David Alaba, 8 — Slotted into central defence brilliantly with the minimum of fuss. Such a classy player in any number of positions and had ex-Bayern striker Mario Gomez in his pocket for long periods.

DF Javi Martinez, 7 — Bayern’s record signing enjoyed a largely untroubled afternoon against a toothless Wolves attack.

DF Philipp Lahm, 7 — Ancelotti moved Lahm right back to right-back after starring in midfield last time out in Mainz. Never out of his comfort zone during a leisurely afternoon’s work.

MF Arturo Vidal, 7 — Vidal put in a performance as sharp as his Mohawk haircut on his first league start in over a month, before making way for Xabi Alonso.

MF Thiago, 8 — The Spain midfielder buzzed around brilliantly in midfield, joyfully running the show with some typically audacious passing and a team-best 108 touches. Denied a deserved goal by Benaglio’s fantastic save on 65 minutes.

MF Franck Ribery, 6 — Toiled industriously, but the Frenchman didn’t have the same effect as Robben on the other wing and saw his best effort blocked by Benaglio just after the break.

MF Arjen Robben, 8 — Fired Bayern ahead with a trademark left-footed finish, cutting in from the right channel to deposit past a stranded goalkeeper into the top corner. No doubt, you have seen this goal before. He could easily have added to his tally, but was denied by Benaglio in each half. The Netherlands skipper is almost back to his best, which is a pity as there’s only two games before the winter break.

FW Thomas Muller, 7 — Looks much happier in a more central role in support of Lewandowski. There was a certain inevitability about Muller scoring and the goal finally came on 76 minutes when he stuck out a boot to divert Lewandowski’s shot into the goal to end his dry run after 999 minutes. They all count.

FW Robert Lewandowski, 8 — Buoyed by news that his wife Anna is expecting, Lewy notched his second straight league brace with a pair of close range tap-ins, taking his tally to 11 league goals — or 26 in his last 25 games for club and country. Disappointingly, only two goals for the Pole, after firing five in nine minutes last time out against the Wolves in Munich.