Bayern are back on top!

Bayern continue Bundesliga fightback Luca Toni and Franck Ribery secure 2-1 win over Schalke
By Peter Wenzel, Felix Seidel and Christian Kitsch

For the fifth time in the row, Bayern Munich secured three Bundesliga points - and the champions now sit just one behind the leaders, ominously placed for their title rivals. But the 2-1 win over Schalke was far from simple, as Bayern were dominated after twice taking an early lead.

Uli Hoeness, general manager of the Bavarian side, was pleased with the result: "It’s hotting up again. We are completely back in the game. The whole land of Bavaria needs to come to the fore – in politics and in football."

It was Schalke, though, who dominated proceedings at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, earning 18 corners to just one for their opponents. That dominance didn't translate into goals, however.

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, commentating on TV, slammed the players for wasting so many corners: “I would make Schalke do a week of training as punishment, whoever was taking the corners so badly…"

Bayern, although largely outplayed, were much more clinical in front of goal - two first half shots on target resulted in two goals!

The first came after just three minutes. Some great work from Mark van Bommel allowed Luca Toni the chance to hit the opener.

It was the big Italian's first Bundesliga goal since September 13, when he netted in a 3-0 win in Cologne.

But it wasn't enough to knock Schalke out of their stride, and the hosts were back on level terms just two minutes later, when Rafinha went past Martin Demichelis down the right and set up Jefferson Farfan to squeeze the ball through Michael Rensing's legs for the equaliser. Schalke then pushed forward, but were rebuffed by Bayern, and the champions took the lead again in the 31st minute.

Franck Ribery played a delightful one-two with Ze Roberto before firing home from seven metres.

To see pictures of the game, head to BILD.com