Bayern Munich came from behind to defeat Werder Bremen 3-1 and move up to third in the Bundesliga today. Per Mertesacker scored at both ends, first putting Bremen ahead in the 47th minute and then putting Bayern in front in the 75th after Arjen Robben had equalised.

Miroslav Klose then sealed the win for Louis van Gaal's side as they moved up to their highest league position of the season, still 14 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund, who won at Wolfsburg.

A lively first half could have seen goals at either end, yet it ended goalless. Clemens Fritz could have put the home side in front less than a minute in when he shot straight at Thomas Kraft with only the Bayern goalkeeper to beat, and with Marko Marin in space to his left.

Andreas Ottl's shot from 25 yards was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Tim Wiese in the 16th minute as Bayern responded. Sebastian Prodl then had the chance to put Bayern in front, but he failed to get a touch to Torsten Frings' free-kick with an open goal to aim at.

Bayern bounce back
Mertesacker opened the scoring two minutes into the second half with a fine finish at the far post as he met another of Frings' dangerous free-kicks, which had been headed on by Prodl.

Bayern responded with Robben bringing them level in the 65th minute. He was first to Danijel Pranjic's right-wing cross to force it over the line from close range. They forced the second goal in the 75th minute when Gomez's cross from the by-line was diverted into his own goal by Mertesacker as he tried to clear.

Substitute Klose sealed the win four minutes from time as Bremen committed men forward in search of an equaliser. Thomas Muller brought the ball forward and unselfishly passed to Klose, who had a simple task of slotting the ball in to make it three.