Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes praised his side for playing their "best second half of the season" in the 2-0 win at Schalke yesterday.

The victory at the Veltins-Arena was the eighth on the trot for the Bundesliga leaders as their superb early-season run continued. Nils Petersen and Thomas Muller scored the goals for Bayern, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who made a return to Gelsenkirchen after switching from Schalke during the summer, was a spectator for 90 minutes.

Heynckes was especially satisfied with the controlled performance after the break. "We were top class again," he told the club's website. "That was our best second half of the season.

"We have a good squad, and we're in a position to compensate for the loss of key players, as we've seen again. However, it's important we get Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben back as soon as possible."

The team is a really harmonious unit at the moment, and it's very convincing.
Christian Nerlinger, Bayern Munich sporting director

Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger believes the team's dominance is due to a harmonious dressing room. "All credit to the team," Nerlinger said. "We were totally focused and convincing in every respect.

"Schalke had a couple of situations in the first half where they might have scored, but we completely controlled them after half-time. We fully deserved to win. The team is a really harmonious unit at the moment, and it's very convincing."

Goalkeeper Neuer, who was the focus of attention from both sets of fans after controversially leaving Schalke to join Bayern this summer, was pleased to keep another clean sheet in the win.

He said: "Schalke came very close twice in the first half, they were a shade unlucky there. We were very good in defence again today. We were rock solid, and that's very important. I've had to adapt my game, but you get used to it. I'm delighted we've won."