Duesseldorf: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery wreaked havoc in their first joint appearance this season helping the champions crush Hoffenheim 4-0 on Saturday.
Both players have had to battle injuries, with Robben missing the first half of the season, but they were in scintillating form with the Dutchman scoring twice and setting up another and the Frenchman creating two goals himself.
The win lifted Bayern to third place on 39 points, three behind second-placed Bayer Leverkusen who eased past hosts Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 with Michael Ballack surprisingly on the bench.
Leaders Borussia Dortmund, top on 51 points, travel to Kaiserslautern later on Saturday and can restore their 12-point advantage with a win.
It took Robben only 90 seconds to make an impact when he set up Bundesliga top scorer Mario Gomez for his 17th goal of the season.
Robben struck himself with a spectacular solo effort in the second half, after Frenchman Ribery had set up Thomas Mueller in the box for Bayern's second goal in the 15th minute.
The 'Robbery' show, to use the affectionate nickname for the duo, was complete in the 81st minute when Ribery crossed from the left, Robben controlled the ball and curled a trademark left-footed shot into the top corner.
VfB Stuttgart remain deep in the relegation battle after slumping to a 4-1 defeat at home to Nuremberg, while Borussia Moenchengladbach stayed anchored in last place after losing 3-1 at St Pauli.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, February 13, 2011, 09:19