Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen for record 13th straight time

Bayern, who face Arsenal in the Champions League knockout stage on Feb. 15, never hit top form but are now on 45 points with promoted RB Leipzig on 42 after they ended Hoffenheim's unbeaten run this season with a 2-1 win.

Dutchman Arjen Robben drilled in after 30 minutes following a spectacular run down the wing from Franck Ribery and David Alaba doubled their lead, perfectly curling a free kick over the wall and into the top corner on the stroke of halftime.

Max Kruse cut the deficit seven minutes after the restart, shaking off Alaba to fire in as the hosts looked more aggressive but Werder Bremen failed to find an equaliser and stayed in 15th spot, a point above the relegation playoff spot.

"There are always problems during a season and today it was difficult for us," said Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti. "But we deserved to win.

"We were playing well for about an hour but had problems after they scored their goal."

Leipzig kept up the pursuit of Bayern, coming from a goal down to beat 10-man Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim became the first visiting team to lead at Leipzig this season when Nadiem Amiri completed a sensational break and scored against the run of play in the 18th minute.

But 20-year-old Timo Werner struck for the fifth straight home game, tapping in after 38 minutes to level and take his tally to 11 league goals.

Hoffenheim's top scorer Sandro Wagner, who like Werner is hoping for a Germany call-up, was sent off with a straight red card on the hour for kicking Stefan Ilsanker, with Germany coach Joachim Loew in the stands.

Leipzig made the extra man count and grabbed the winner with a deflected effort by Marcel Sabitzer in the 77th minute to leave fourth-placed Hoffenheim nine points behind.

Cologne crushed bottom side Darmstadt 98 6-1 to move up to 29 points in seventh place, Japan international Yuya Osako scoring twice.

Vfl Wolfsburg slumped to a 2-1 home loss against Augsburg despite leading through Mario Gomez. They dropped to 13th place on 19.