Bayern Munich came from behind to keep the pressure on Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, defeating Borussia Mönchengladbach 3-1 at the Allianz Arena as Thomas Tuchel extends his personal head-to-head winning streak to five matches. However, the Pharmacists also collected all three points against Darmstadt to keep the distance.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Gladbach gave today’s hosts a helping hand in their pursuit of a 12th successive Meisterschale by holding Leverkusen to a draw last weekend. However, heading into this with just one win in six (one win, two draws, three losses), and a single away league victory all season, the odds were firmly against Die Fohlen. Leroy Sané hadn’t scored in 98 days, and that rustiness in front of goal perhaps contributed to an early miss when the German international took Thomas Müller’s pass in his stride before dinking an effort just wide of the far post.Bayern were predictably dominant during the first half, coming close through Harry Kane’s fierce free-kick, yet it was Gladbach who snatched the lead against the run of play. Nico Elvedi capitalised on a loose pass from Manuel Neuer, stealing possession in midfield before charging forward to play a neat one-two with Jordan Pefok and slotting a first-time finish into the bottom corner. However, having netted his first goal for his hometown club last week, Aleksandar Pavlović was on hand to restore parity on the stroke of halftime, clinically firing past Moritz Nicolas.Kicking off the second half on level terms, Bayern had history on their side thanks to a commanding head-to-head record heading into this match (52 wins, 31 draws, 28 losses). The fleet-footed Jamal Musiala had caused Gladbach problems in the first half and he hit the side-netting shortly after the restart as the defending champions signaled their intent. Die Fohlen’s second-half resolve was eventually broken with 20 minutes to go when an unconvincing Nicolas punch allowed Harry Kane to tuck in his 24th league goal of the season – a record high for a Bundesliga newcomer.Matthijs de Ligt’s thumping header gave the hosts breathing room late on as Bayern saw out just their second success from their last seven competitive head-to-head fixtures (two draws, three losses). Next up for the reigning champions, is a mouthwatering match-up against surprise title rivals Leverkusen at the BayArena. Meanwhile, the visitors remain in midtable with their winless record on the road now standing at seven games, six of which have seen them concede at least two goals.In Darmstadt, the table toppers Bayer Leverkusen returned to winning ways in the Bundesliga by beating the home team 2-0, extending their incredible unbeaten start to the season to a club record 29 matches.The media circus surrounding Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso can’t have helped the title chasers as they were held to a draw by Borussia Mönchengladbach last week. The visitors set out to put that result right, and ought to have been ahead inside 20 minutes when Alejandro Grimaldo picked out Adam Hložek inside the box, but the Czech international fired narrowly wide of the far post.Die Werkself were far from their vintage best in the opening period, but rather unsurprisingly, it was Grimaldo who unlocked the Darmstadt defence to break the deadlock with his fifth assist in as many games. The Spaniard’s pinpoint cross from the left found the arriving Nathan Tella at the back post to head home, vindicating his selection on the right over Jeremie Frimpong.The visitors’ lead was a slender one at the break, but they at least restricted Darmstadt to very little at the other end. A second goal may not have been essential, but it was certainly welcomed by the travelling faithful when it arrived in spectacular fashion. Slid in on the right by Florian Wirtz, Tella doubled his personal tally with a venomous strike that rocketed its way past the goalkeeper and in.Darmstadt had nothing in response to falling two behind, and came close to a more embarrassing scoreline when Wirtz curled his effort against the crossbar. Regardless, Leverkusen registered an important victory that serves as a good warm-up for their showdown with Bayern next week in this enthralling title race. Darmstadt, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the table and six points from safety after their winless run reached 13 matches.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 20FridayHeidenheim – Borussia Dortmund 0-0SaturdayDarmstadt – Leverkusen 0-2 (0-1)/Tella 33, 52/Bochum – Augsburg 1-1 (1-0)/Broschinski 33 – Demirovic 90+1 pen/Bayern – M’gladbach 3-1 (1-1)/Pavlovic 45, Kane 70, De Ligt 86 – Elvedi 35/Freiburg – Stuttgart 1-3 (0-2)/Kubler 45+11 – Undav 3, Fuchrich 7, Mitteistadt 74/Mainz – Werder 0-1 (0-1)/Ducksch 2/20:30: (3.25) Koln (3.40) Eintr.Frankfurt (2.35)Sunday17:30: (2.15) Wolfsburg (3.50) Hoffenheim (3.30)19:30: (1.42) RB Leipzig (4.60) Union Berlin (7.50)***odds are subject to change***
