Bayern Munich beat Bochum

Munich:

Bayern Munich moved closer to securing the Bundesliga title with a 3-1 win over VfL Bochum on Saturday. With a six point lead over second-placed Schalke before the game, Bayern already had one hand on the league title. Cludio Pizarro gave them a dream start after only nine minutes. The Peruvian took down Lucio's pass, held off Filip Tapalovic's challenge and fired home from a tight angle. Six minutes later it got worse for Bochum.

Red card Goalkeeper Rein van Duijnhoven handled Roy Makaay's shot outside the penalty area. A red card from referee Knut Kircher was inevitable. Ten minutes later Bayern were two up. Willy Sagnol cut in from the right, teeing up Michael Ballack - and the midfielder finished emphatically. Bochum continued to put up game resistance, and they pulled one back six minutes into the second half when Tapalovic - culpable for Bayern's first goal - powered in a header from Zvjezdan Misimovic's corner. Predatory goal But any hopes that the visitors had to steal an unlikely point were wiped out in the 63rd minute. Roy Makaay deservedly got his name on the scoresheet - a typically predatory goal from the Dutchman making it 3-1. Bayern's victory, coupled with a defeat for second-place Schalke, puts them within touching distance of that 19th Bundesliga crown. They now lead Schalke by nine points with only four games remaining. Bochum stay third from bottom. (AP)