10-man Bayern remain top with clinical 3-1 in Fuerth

Bayern Munich retained the Bundesliga lead 3-1 over bottom club Greuther Fuerth on Friday, although they were reduced to 10 men and star striker Robert Lewandowski missed another league record.

Thomas Mueller opened the scoring 10 minutes into the game in off the left post off Alphonso Davies' low cross from the left, and Joshua Kimmich curled the second into the bottom right corner just after the half-hour mark.

Bayern were also not rattled when Benjamin Pavard was sent off for bringing down former Bayern player Julian Green shortly after the break.

On the contrary, an own goal from Sebastian Griesbeck, under pressure from Lewandowski off Kimmich's free-kick, clinched their victory midway through the second half, with Cedric Itten heading a late consolation goal for the hosts.

Lewandowski could have equalled the record of scoring in 16 straight Bundesliga games the late Gerd Mueller set in 1969-70 but that didn't happen as his brilliant backheel flick in the first half hit the top of the bar.

"It wasn't a fantastic performance. We had a few mistakes too many but overall we got a deserved win," Kimmich told streaming portal DAZN.

"The character of the team is great. The players are hungry and want to win every game."

Griesbeck said: "When you concede it is tough against one of the best teams in the world. After the red card we should have attacked more, we were a ittle too passive."

Unbeaten nine-time reigning champions Bayern moved three points clear at the top with a fifth straight victory, ahead of Wolfsburg who can draw level with victory at Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Fuerth remain winless last and are yet to win at home in now 20 attempts in the top flight, having also failed to do so in their maiden Bundesliga season 2012-13.