Thomas Muller hat-trick takes Bayern Munich past Eintracht Frankfurt

Thomas Muller scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich moved further ahead at the top of the Bundesliga with a 4-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt this afternoon.

Despite making a good start to the match, Frankfurt would struggle to cause problems for the visitors as Pep Guardiola's side took time to settle into their passing rhythm.

The champions should have taken an early lead through Muller, who lost his marker inside the box to meet Xabi Alonso's free kick, but he could only head wide from close range.

It was Muller who broke the deadlock midway through the first half from close range at the second time of asking after seeing Felix Wiedwald charge off his line to block his first effort from Franck Ribery's cross.

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Frankfurt continued to look vulnerable from set pieces, and only a fine save from Wiedwald prevented Dante from extending Bayern's lead before the interval with a powerful header.

A clever through-ball from Muller early in the second half threatened to release Robert Lewandowski, but Wiedwald was quick off his line to stop the Polish striker from adding the finishing touch.

Wiedwald continued his impressive form moments later by getting a strong hand to Lewandowski's header.

However, he was unable to stop Bayern from scoring again in the 62nd minute as Ribery latched on to a lobbed pass before unselfishly teeing up Muller for an easy finish.

Muller completed his hat-trick three minutes later when Mario Gotze spotted the run of his fellow World Cup winner, who kept his composure to slot past Wiedwald.

Bayern's quick double dealt a big blow to Frankfurt's hopes of claiming anything from the game, and the hosts would struggle to produce much of a response in the closing stages.

There was still time for Bayern to add a fourth as Xherdan Shaqiri linked with fellow substitute Sebastian Rode before finishing emphatically to complete the victory.