Hansa Rostock 1 - 2 Bayern Munich

Hansa Rostock 1-2 Bayern Munich

Updated: February 1, 2008, 5:22 PM ET

ROSTOCK, February 1 (Bundesliga) - Bayern Munich moved three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga as they kicked off the second half of the season with victory over relegation-threatened Hansa Rostock at DKB Arena.

Franck Ribery opened the scoring for the visitors after 11 minutes and Luca Toni doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time

Enrico Kern pulled one back for the hosts seven minutes into the second half but they could not find the equaliser and remain fourth from bottom in the standings.

Bayern failed to score in their last two league matches of 2007 and, although they netted twice in the first half, they passed up several further opportunities.

Ze Roberto had the first chance after eight minutes, but could not find the target with his right-footed shot.

The Brazilian made amends with an assist for the opening goal three minutes later. He played a clever one-two with Miroslav Klose to break into the left side of the Rostock penalty area and fed Ribery, who scored with his first touch of the game from five yards.

Three minutes later, Germany striker Klose was through on goal but produced a woeful pass to Toni, sending the ball out of play to the evident frustration of the Italy international.

Klose failed again on 17 minutes when his 20-yard shot deflected for a corner as Bayern's domination failed to show further reward.

Toni then had a chance of his own to make it 2-0 after 29 minutes but his long-range effort was palmed away by goalkeeper Stefan Wachter.

Rostock had their first sight of goal after 32 minutes when a Victor Agali flick-on finding Fin Bartels, but his shot from six yards went straight into the arms of Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

Toni did finally make it two for Bayern after 43 minutes. The former Fiorentina frontman latched onto a free-kick, controlled well and netted his 10th goal of the season.

Rostock improved in the second half and pulled one back after 52 minutes when Kern notched after a frantic goalmouth scramble.

Kern's original shot forced a brilliant save from Kahn and the rebound from Christian Rahn crashed against the crossbar but fell to Kern, who slotted into the empty net.

It was only the ninth Bundesliga goal conceded by Bayern this season, and Rostock came close to making it 10 just before the hour mark.

Tobias Rathgeb was fed a through-ball into the penalty area, but a vital tackle by Lucio sent the ball out for a corner.

Toni had two final chances to put the game out of reach - a left-footed volley from the middle of the penalty area which skied over the bar and a right-footed shot which went wide.

Rostock had the final opportunity of the match but Rathgeb's injury-time free-kick went over, handing Bayern the three points.