Bayern Munich 4-0 Stuttgart: Bundesliga domination continues

Bayern Munich continued their domination of the Bundesliga with a 4-0 win over southern rivals Stuttgart.

Arjen Robben, Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller all scored within the first 45 minutes as the Bavarians ran riot once again.

There were no further goals in the second half as Bayern took things easy, safe in the knowledge they had done enough to extend their lead over Borussia Dortmund at the top to eight points.

Bayern coach Pep Guardiola had demanded improvements from his team, even after their 5-1 win over Arsenal in midweek, and did not have to wait long to see his side open up a two-goal lead.

Costa burst clear and his cross was turned over the goalline by Robben's stomach in the 11th minute, and then Costa added a second from Muller's cross seven minutes later.

Stuttgart tried their best to play along and Filip Kostic almost brought them back into the game with a shot which hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced out to safety.

The visitors' bold efforts were not rewarded and instead they found themselves four behind with two more goals coming just before half-time.

Muller provided the first for Lewandowski, who only had to stick out his foot for his 14th goal of the season.

Muller then headed the fourth after Kingsley Coman's effort came back off the crossbar.

Stuttgart had a goal through Timo Werner disallowed early in the second half, with no clear reason for the officials' decision

The game was nevertheless over as a contest and Guardiola used the opportunity to give both Medhi Benatia and Holger Badstuber their comebacks from injury.

The final cheers of the game were for them as Bayern declined to inflict any further damage on a Stuttgart side who slip inside the bottom three on goal difference, Werder Bremen moving up a position without even playing on Saturday.