Goretzka shines as Bayern cut gap

Leon Goretzka was outstanding with two first-half goals as Bayern Munich halved Borussia Dortmund's lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Friday with a 3-1 win at Hoffenheim.

Bayern's impressive victory in Sinsheim trimmed Dortmund's lead to just three points before they face fourth-placed RB Leipzig away on Saturday night.

Bayern, chasing a seventh straight league crown, proved the title race in Germany's top flight is alive and kicking as the Bundesliga returned after the winter break.

This was a dominant display from Niko Kovac's side as Goretzka stole the show in midfield with two clinically taken goals before Hoffenheim rallied after the break and pulled a goal back through Nico Schulz.

However, Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski made sure of the win three minutes from time by claiming his 11th league goal this season.

It says it all that Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann had the most touches from the host side in the opening 45 minutes.

After a lively start, Bayern deservedly went ahead on 34 minutes when Baumann superbly parried a header from Lewandowski, but Goretzka showed lightning reactions to fire home the rebound from a tight angle.