Guardiola's Bayern restore order ahead of winter break

Lewandowski and Lahm on target for German champions who top the mid-season table for fifth year in a row.

BAYERN MUNICH WERE crowned winter champions in the Bundesliga by overcoming a plucky Ingolstadt side 2-0 at the Allianz Arena today.

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered their first top-flight defeat of the season at Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend, but secured a hard-earned three points to spend the mid-season break at the summit for a record fifth straight year.

Ingolstadt entered the game with just two losses from their eight games on the road this season, and that confidence showed in Munich as they frustrated the champions with a well-organised display.

Bayern were denied an opener midway through the first half when Robert Lewandowski saw his shot cleared off the line, but Manuel Neuer was forced into a trio of saves before the interval to ensure his side went in level.

However, the Bavarian giants upped their game in the second half and finally broke through thanks to Lewandowski’s 15th Bundesliga goal of the season, before Phillip Lahm added a second with 15 minutes remaining.