BERLIN, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich secured a 4-2 win over a resilient Werder Bremen and Schalke were held to a 1-1 draw by Hannover in 19th round of Bundesliga action on Sunday.
Bayern Munich managed to hold their nerve against Werder Bremen, who shocked the title holders with an early goal. This is Bayern' s eighth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Bremen grabbed a bright start on the road as Max Kruse almost broke the deadlock with seven minutes played when he rattled the outside of the far post.
Bayern needed some time to gain a foothold in the game. Franck Ribery testing the Bremen keeper Jiri Pavlenka in the 12th minute was the only meaningful chance for most of the first half.
However, Bremen kept pushing for a goal and deservedly took the lead 25 minutes into the match as Max Kruse's through ball allowed Jerome Gondorf to slot home past Bayern replacement keeper Sven Ulreich.
Bremen looked for counter attacks and kept Bayern's defense busy. Nevertheless, the German champions leveled the score out of the blue just before the break after Thomas Mueller hammered home Jerome Boateng's cross in the 41st minute.
After the restart, Bayern increased the pressure and completed their comeback thanks to Robert Lewandowski, who headed home James Rodriguez' corner to make it 2-1 just past the hour mark.
The visitors regrouped and shocked Bayern by drawing level in the 75th minute as Bayern's Niklas Suele deflected Max Kruse's corner into his own goal.
Bayern kept their composure and responded moments later when Lewandowski nodded home Mueller's cross to take the lead once again. Mueller remained in the thick of things as he sealed the deal late in the game with his 100th Bundesliga goal
With the victory, Bayern continued to top the standings, stretching their lead to 16-points. Werder Bremen is 16th on the log, firmly in the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Schalke were unable to defend a one-goal lead as Hannover managed to sneak a late 1-1 draw thanks to Niclas Fuellkrug's last-grasp goal.
The "Royal Blues" remain third while newly promoted Hannover are 10th on the Bundesliga table.
