Greuther Furth 1-3 Bayern Munich: Champions win despite Lewandowski missing record

Robert Lewandowski's scoring streak ended and Benjamin Pavard was sent off, but Bayern Munich still cruised to a 3-1 victory over Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga.

In a Bavarian derby battle between top and bottom on Friday, Bayern were in control at half-time following goals from Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich at Sportpark Ronhof.

There was hope for Furth when France full-back Pavard was shown a straight red card early in the second half for a professional foul on Jeremy Dudziak.

The champions remained a class apart from their newly-promoted opponents despite Pavard's dismissal and a Sebastian Griesbeck own goal increased their advantage, with a late Cedric Itten header no more than a consolation for the home side.

Lewandowski was unable to match Gerd Muller's record of scoring in 16 consecutive Bundesliga games, but Julian Nagelsmann's moved three points clear at the summit.

Bayern wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game, with Leon Goretzka's early long-range drive flashing just wide.

The champions were in front in the 10th minute, when Thomas Muller finished clinically with his left foot after Maximilian Bauer could only divert Alphonso Davies's cross into his path.

Furth were unable to live with Bayern and Kimmich doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark with a measured right-footed strike from 25 yards out after Leroy Sane laid the ball back to him.

Lewandowski flicked Kimmich's corner against the crossbar as Bayern dominated, but they were a man down when Pavard was given his marching orders for upending Dudziak three minutes into the second half.

Bayern continued to pose a major threat despite their numerical disadvantage, Sascha Burchert getting down to keep out Lewandowski's first-time shot.

Nagelsmann was shown a yellow card for dissent before Kimmich's free-kick was turned into his own net by Griesbeck, under pressure from Lewandowski.

Itten nodded in Timothy Tillman's inviting cross with a couple of minutes remaining, but the points were in the bag by then for Bayern.

What does it mean? No glory for Lewandowski but ominous Bayern march on

Lewandowski has become accustomed to making history at Bayern but he surprisingly failed to find the back of the net this time, missing out on equalling a record held by the late, great Gerd Muller, who died in August.

Bayern are unbeaten this season and have been ruthless early in Nagelsmann's reign, scoring 40 goals in their past eight games in all competitions and sitting three points clear of Wolfsburg.

They may have run riot if Pavard had stayed on the field on a night that saw Thomas Muller score his 218th competitive goal for the club, surpassing Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's tally of 217 to go third on the club's all-time list, behind Gerd Muller and Lewandowski.

Kimmich pure class

Germany international Kimmich was outstanding in the middle of the park, finding the back of the net with a sumptuous finish before laying on the third goal.

Only Davies (32) had more passes in the Furth half than Kimmich (30), who had 101 touches in another influential display.

Pavard pays the price for diving in

Referee Robert Schroder took his time before showing Pavard a red card, with the former Stuttgart man looking like he may have got the ball.

There was no need for Pavard to dive in, though, and he did not appear to have too many complaints.

What's next?

Bayern return to Champions League action at home to Dynamo Kiev next Wednesday, while Furth go in search of a first Bundesliga win of the campaign at Cologne next Friday.