Bayern battle past Wolfsburg to open up seven-point gap

Leon Goretzka scored once in each half to help Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich to a 3-2 victory over visiting VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday and open up a seven-point advantage over champions Bayer Leverkusen in the standings.

The Bavarians hit the crossbar through Leroy Sane after three minutes before Goretzka fired them into a 20th-minute lead with his 22-metre shot going in off the post.

The Wolves needed just four minutes to level with their first chance through Mohamed Amoura but the hosts went back in front in the 39th after Michael Olise drilled in another long-range effort.

A Wolfsburg mistake put Harry Kane free inside the box but his shot was blocked by defender Denis Vavro

Joshua Kimmich thought he had done better when he put the ball in the net in first-half stoppage time from a smooth Kingsley Coman cross but his effort was disallowed for hand ball.

Bayern kept their foot on the gas after the break and Goretzka headed in off the post just past the hour to make it 3-1 but the hosts should have killed off the game with a string of chances.

Coman squandered the best opportunity when he benefited from sloppy Wolfsburg defending to charge into the box but with only the keeper to beat he fired wide of the target.

Instead it was Wolfsburg who scored with Algeria international Amoura's second goal in the 88th following a stunning run by substitute Tiago Tomas to set up a tense finale.

"Even before the game I had the feeling this would be tough," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany told a press conference. "They are enjoying a good run and are dangerous.

"I am satisfied with the result and this is a positive start to the new year," Kompany said after their third league win in three matches this year.

"At Bayern you have to win every game and we want to do that in the next game as well. Now we are in a good phase and that is more important."

Bayern, who travel to Feyenoord for the Champions League on Wednesday, held on to earn their fourth straight league win and move up to 45 points, seven ahead of Leverkusen, who are in action later on Saturday against Borussia Moenchengladbach. Wolfsburg are on 27 in seventh.