Bayern Munich rallied in the second half to beat Schalke 04 3-1 at the Veltins-Arena.

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Bayern took an early lead through David Alaba, whose deflected long-range effort looped over the helpless Ralf Fahrmann and into the bottom corner.

Polish forward Robert Lewandowski almost made it two moments later but his effort from just inside the box curled wide of Fahrmann's goal.

However, Schalke pulled themselves level with their first shot on target as Leroy Sane broke into the Bayern half before playing it to Max Meyer, whose curling effort went beyond the reach of Manuel Neuer.

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In the second half, Arjen Robben was put through on goal but the Dutchman's effort was well blocked by Dennis Aogo.

Bayern retook the lead through Javi Martinez, with Robben swinging in a cross to the unmarked Spaniard and he nodded the ball past Fahrmann from close range.

Robben had the chance to extend Bayern's advantage after he connected with a Lewandowski cross, but the Dutchman's header flew over the bar.

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Another swift Bayern counter almost saw Benedikt Howedes put Philipp Lahm's cross into his own net but the ball drifted just wide of the goal.

Schalke almost equalised late on as young subsitute Fabian Reese found Joel Matip, who had moved up front, but the Cameroon international could not hit the target.

Thomas Muller made the points safe late on after he received the ball from Joshua Kimmich and the German international calmly slotted the ball home

The win moves Bayern eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table, while Schalke remain in seventh.