Thomas Muller double helps Bayern Munich thrash Schalke in Bundesliga

Bavarians open up seven-point lead at the top of the table after 4-0 win against hapless bottom club

Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller heads home their third goal in their 4-0 Bundesliga win at Schalke in Gelsenkirchen on January 24. AFP

Bayern's Thomas Mueller celebrates after scoring the openin goal. AP

Bayern's Robert Lewandowski scores their second goal. AP

David Alaba celebrates after scoring their Bayern's fourth goal. EPA

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saves from Schalke's Mathew Hoppe. AP

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick celebrates their third goal scored by Thomas Muller. Reuters

Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman is challenged by Timo Becker of Schalke. Reuters

Bayern forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring the second goal. AFP

Thomas Muller finishes past Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann to open the scoring. EPA

Schalke manager Christian Gross. Reuters

Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka. Reuters

Robert Lewandowski celebrates with teammate Thomas Muller after scoring Bayern's second goal. Getty

Champions Bayern Munich opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga after dishing out a 4-0 thrashing at bottom club Schalke, helped by a Thomas Muller double on Sunday.

Muller scored with two headers, starting the scoring after 33 minutes and netting again in the 88th after league top scorer Robert Lewandowski bagged his 23rd of the campaign in the 54th.

David Alaba's long-range effort in the 90th minute capped a comfortable evening for the Bavarians.

"I am not totally satisfied," said Bayern manager Hansi Flick. "Yes, we scored four goals but I could see that at times we could improve our possession game."

"We sometimes play too fast, sometimes too slow, sometimes with too much risk. There is lost possession which we can avoid.

"But overall, I am happy with the nine points this week. Today we used the assist delivered by our rivals."

With title rivals RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund all losing this weekend, Bayern remain firmly on course for a ninth consecutive Bundesliga title.

After 18 games, the Munich side have 42 points with second-placed Leipzig on 35. Leverkusen and Wolfsburg both have 32.

Despite Bayern's two late goals, it was a far closer game than Bayern's 8-0 hammering of Schalke on the opening day in September, testament both to Schalke's recent improvement under new manager Christian Gross and to Bayern's own dip in form, with two rare defeats this month.

Hansi Flick's side, though, have now followed up those surprise losses with three wins on the spin.

Schalke, struggling to avoid relegation, had the stronger start with a string of chances and Mark Uth missed the best of them with a header from seven metres.

Bayern needed about 20 minutes to find their way into the game and gradually took control, going in front when Joshua Kimmich floated a cross into the box and Mueller scored with a darting header.

Lewandowski then latched onto another superb Kimmich assist to slot the ball home, setting a league record by scoring in an eighth consecutive away game.

The Royal Blues, anchored in last place on seven points, refused to give up and had opportunities before Bayern scored twice through Muller and Alaba in the final four minutes.

The Bavarians have scored a club record 53 goals after 18 league games which is more at this stage than in any season.

Schalke remain rooted to the bottom of the table, with seven points from 18 games and are 10 points from safety as they battles deep-seated financial problems worsened by the coronavirus.

They have lost all three games since a hat-trick from US striker Matthew Hoppe led the team to a 4-0 win over Hoffenheim on January 9 – the club's first league win in nearly a year.

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