BERLIN, Feb. 1-- Bayern Munich jumped atop the table for the moment after beating Mainz 3-1 on three first-half goals, and Erling Haaland's brace helped Borussia Dortmund to whitewash newly promoted Union Berlin 5-0 at the 20th round in Bundesliga on Saturday. The German record champions needed a powerful first half to beat Mainz as goals from Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Thiago Alcantara were enough to snatch all three points on the road. Bayern secured a bright start and needed only eight minutes to break the deadlock as Benjamin Pavard's pinpoint cross into the box allowed Lewandowski to mark his 22nd goal of the season by header. The Bundesliga top striker remained in the thick as he ran goalwards before he was brought down by goalkeeper Robin Zentner at the edge of the box. Mulller reacted as the quickest and tapped home the loose ball to double the lead in the 14th minute. Mainz tried to respond but was unable to hold the pace especially when Thiago danced through Mainz' defence before finishing off his solo run with a hammer past Zentner at the 26th minute. The hosts sparked to life just before the break when Jeremiah St. Juste headed home a corner to reduce the arrears out of the blue. After the restart, harmless Mainz were unrecognisable as their goal gave them confidence to keep the "Bavarians" on the distance until the 75th minute. Mainz tested Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer several times but Bayern's sixth straight victory was never in jeopardy. |