Bayern reassert nine-point lead with win at Heidenheim, Mainz held

Bayern Munich re-established their nine-point lead in the Bundesliga and secured the unofficial winter champions title two games early after a 4-0 win at second-bottom Heidenheim on Sunday.

Josip Stanišić nodded Bayern in front on 15 minutes after Jonathan Tah had headed a Michael Olise corner back across goal.

Olise on 32 and Luis Diaz on 86 also scored from close range before Harry Kane netted in stoppage time for his 100th goal involvement in just two and half seasons in the Bundesliga.

"I think first half was a really good performance by us. Second half there was a bit more space and we were sloppy with the ball," Kane told DAZN. "We look forward to the new year."

Bayern moved on to 41 points from 15 games, with Borussia Dortmund trailing on 32.

The German top flight now has a mini mid-season break before returning on January 9. The actual halfway point of the campaign comes in the middle of next month, but Bayern already know they will be top then having not yet lost in the Bundesliga this term.

The Bavarians will be at the summit midway through a Bundesliga season for a record extending 28th time, a feat Germans call being autumn champions - but these days with the elongated fixture list it is more like winter champions.

Kane took the captain's armband in the absence of injured duo Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich and Bayern were straight on the offensive.

It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead, Heidenheim keeper Diant Ramaj getting a hand to Tah's assist but merely knocking it up for Croatia defender Stanišić to head home on the line.

There was an element of luck about Bayern's second as a deflection off Heidenheim defender Patrick Mainka lying on the ground popped up for France winger Olise to hook in.

Heidenheim had chances after the break but Luis Diaz's diving header sealed the deal from a Stanišić cross and Bundesliga top scorer Kane netted his 19th of the league season.

Vincent Kompany's side look hot, hot favourites to retain their title and rack up a record-extending 35th German championship.

Bottom side Mainz and relegation rivals St Pauli earlier played out a goalless stalemate which did little to help either team.

Mainz qualified directly for the Conference League last 16 with Thursday's 2-0 win over Samsunspor and also drew their previous two games under new coach Urs Fischer, including a 2-2 draw at Bayern last weekend.

But they could not force an opener on Sunday despite dominating their visitors from Hamburg for long spells. Mainz sit on eight points at the mid-season break with just one win from 15 games.

St Pauli, who won for the first time in 11 league matches against Heidenheim last weekend, arguably had the best chance but captain Jackson Irvine scuffed his first-half effort. They are third-bottom in the relegation play-off spot, four points above Mainz and one above Heidenheim.