Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes expressed his relief at returning to the top of the Bundesliga yesterday and winning again after two consecutive defeats. A 4-1 victory over fourth-placed Werder Bremen took the Bavarians back above Borussia Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, who drew 1-1, and restored Bayern to what according to Heynckes, is their rightful position.

"It means a great deal for Bayern to be at the top of the table," he said. "My team showed a good reaction to losing in Mainz. We could see that the team is intact, the players get on well together and we had a better balance between attack and defence."

Arjen Robben was on target twice for Bayern, despite only playing the last half an hour. He has been struggling with injuries all season and missed the trip to Mainz last weekend and he was just relieved to come through that half an hour pain free.

"It is a difficult time for me because I often have pain," he revealed on his club's official website. "This whole thing has been going on for months. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it is worse. I am still far from fully fit. Today I was able to play without any pain and that is definitely a pleasure."