Bayern Munich returned to the top of the Bundesliga for the first time in some 57 days - at least for one night - with Sadio Mane scoring one and assisting two in a devastating 6-2 win over Mainz.

Bayern Munich 6-2 Mainz
Goals: 1-0 Gnabry 5' (assist: Mane), 2-0 Musiala 28' (assist: Choupo-Moting), 3-0 Mane 43', 3-1 Widmer 45'+4 (assist: Martin), 4-1 Goretzka 58' (assist: Mane), 5-1 Tel 79' (assist: Goretzka), 5-2 Ingvartsen 82' (assist: Burgzorg), 6-2 Choupo-Moting 86' (assist: Coman)

Buoyed by a run of five consecutive wins in all competitions, Bayern were all over Mainz like a rash. Mane volleyed into the side netting with the game's first real opening, before crossing low for Serge Gnabry to sweep in his 50th Bundesliga goal for the club. Silvan Widmer sent a tame header at Sven Ulreich as Mainz mustered a response of sorts, but a sensational team goal involving Alphonso Davies and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting - capped by Jamal Musiala's arrowed 18-yard finish - left the visitors with mountain to climb. Initial attempts to scale Mount Bayern saw Jonathan Burkardt fire against the crossbar and Jae-sung Lee hit the upright on the rebound. Bayern then sent the 05ers back down to Earth with a bump as Mane won and missed a penalty - awarded upon VAR review for a foul by Alexander Hack - before converting the follow-up. Ulreich conceded and saved a Burkardt spot-kick moments later, only for Widmer to glance in Aaron's ensuing corner and give Mainz a lifeline.

There was to be no great comeback, however. Bayern refound top gear in the second half as Choupo-Moting sent a warning shot against the woodwork from a tight angle. Mane whipped quick-fire efforts wide of the far post, before running unchecked and crossing for Leon Goretzka to power in a header for 4-1. The onslaught continued as Zentner made himself big to deny Musiala what would have been a wonderful solo goal. Mainz's goalkeeper was beaten from the resultant corner, but Noussair Mazraoui's downward headed dropped the wrong side of the upright. Choupo-Moting was the next Bayern player to try his luck, the Cameroonian veteran's strike from inside a crowded penalty box met by Zentner's firm right hand. Their work done, the brilliant Musiala and Mane made way to rapturous applause in the final 20 minutes. Substitute Mathys Tel ensured the party continued with a fifth Bayern goal, the 17-year-old firing home from 18 yards with the aid of a deflection. Marcus Ingvartsen pulled one back following a mistake by Ulreich, but Bayern had the final say through Choupo-Moting. The ex-Mainz forward won a header and continued his run, before turning in Kingsley Coman's return pass with the goal his performance deserved.

Match stats

• Bayern went top for the first time since early September (Matchday 4).
• Musiala is Bayern's top scorer in this season's Bundesliga, with seven goals.
• Mane scored his sixth of the Bundesliga campaign, whilst producing his first league assists.
• Gnabry has scored, assisted or both in his last three Bundesliga appearances.
• The record champions have scored at least once in all of their home Bundesliga matches dating back to 9 February 2020.
• Choupo-Moting has 25 goals in 70 appearances for Bayern, compared to his 22 in 106 for Mainz between 2011-2014, and six in his last five competitive games.

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Teams

Bayern: Ulreich - Mazraoui, Upamecano, de Ligt (Pavard 46'), Davies – Kimmich (c), Goretzka (Sabitzer 62') - Gnabry (Coman 62'), Musiala (Gravenberch 72'), Mane (Tel 76') - Choupo-Moting
Unused subs: Schenk, Stanisic
Out: Hernandez (groin), Müller (hip), Neuer (shoulder), Sane (thigh), Sarr (patella tendon)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Mainz: Zentner - Fernandes (Bell 67'), Hack, Caci - Widmer (c), Stach (Barkok 62'), Barreiro, Lee (Fulgini 62'), Aaron - Burkardt (Ingvartsen 62'), Onisiwo (Burgzorg 76')
Unused subs: Dahmen, Bobzien, Tauer, Shabani
Out: da Costa (ill), Leitsch (exhaustion), Mustapha (thigh)
Coach: Bo Svensson

About the clubs

FC Bayern München

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1. FSV Mainz 05

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