Bayern Munich went 10 clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a brace from Robert Lewandowski saw them hammer Schalke 3-0.

It was 0-0 at half-time, but Lewandowski hit home his 26th league goal of the season from close range before netting a fine header 10 minutes later.

Arturo Vidal struck after some good work by substitute Franck Ribery to put some gloss on the result and ensure Bayern held their unbeaten record against Schalke which stretches back to 2009.

Pep Guardiola's side can seal the Bundesliga title next weekend if they beat Hertha Berlin on April 23 and Borussia Dortmund don't win against Hamburg and Stuttgart.

In the chase for a top-six spot to qualify for the Europa League, Schalke fell to seventh on goal difference behind Mainz, who play Cologne on Sunday.

Bayer Leverkusen moved up to third, a position which would secure them a place in the group stage of next season's Champions League, with a 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, whose top-flight future is looking increasingly precarious.

After Javier Hernandez limped off injured, Kevin Kampl and Julian Brandt scored two quickfire goals in the second half before Karim Bellarabi added a third with the last kick of the game to take Leverkusen above Hertha Berlin.

With four games of the season remaining, Frankfurt are now four points behind the relegation play-off berth with coach Niko Kovac forced to wait even longer for his first win in charge.

Hoffenheim continued their resurgence under Julian Nagelsmann with a 2-1 win over Hertha Berlin which sees the Old Lady drop out of the top three for the first time in 2016.

Niklas Stark put Hertha in front, but goals from Fabian Schar and Mark Uth turned the game around and took Hoffenheim seven points clear of relegation, as Berlin dropped to fourth.

Werder Bremen increased their cushion over the Bundesliga's bottom two with a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg which completed a miserable week for their opponents.

A Claudio Pizarro penalty put Bremen in front, but Josuha Guilavogui levelled for the Wolves, who crashed out of the Champions League in midweek after a 3-0 loss at Real Madrid.

Efforts from Fin Bartels and Sambou Yatabare earned the hosts the points which moved them four clear of the drop zone, although they are still in the relegation play-off berth.

Wolfsburg, who grabbed a late consolation through Bas Dost, now look increasingly unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season, while they have a challenge on their hands even qualifying for Europe.

Alfred Finnbogason was Augsburg's hero once again as his goal earned a 1-0 win over Stuttgart to boost his side's survival hopes and drag the visitors into relegation danger.

The Iceland international, who scored in the win over Werder Bremen a week ago, netted 10 minutes before half-time after defender Georg Niedermeier completely missed a cross from Caiuby.

The win saw Augsburg move above their opponents on goal difference, with both sides just two points above the relegation play-off berth.

Konstantin Rausch and Sandro Wagner scored the goals as Darmstadt overcame fellow promoted side Ingolstadt 2-0 to take another giant step towards safety.

Rausch gave Darmstadt the lead early in the second half, converting from the prolific Wagner's pass.

Ingolstadt tried to hit back and they were close to equalising when Wagner finished them off with five minutes remaining, his close-range goal his 13th of the season and probably enough to ensure Darmstadt will have Bundesliga football at the Stadion am Bollenfalltor again next season.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by PA Sport

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