Champions Bayern Munich opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga after dishing out a 4-0 thrashing at bottom club Schalke, helped by a Thomas Muller double on Sunday.
Muller scored with two headers, starting the scoring after 33 minutes and netting again in the 88th after league top scorer Robert Lewandowski bagged his 23rd of the campaign in the 54th.
David Alaba's long-range effort in the 90th minute capped a comfortable evening for the Bavarians.
"I am not totally satisfied," said Bayern manager Hansi Flick. "Yes, we scored four goals but I could see that at times we could improve our possession game."
"We sometimes play too fast, sometimes too slow, sometimes with too much risk. There is lost possession which we can avoid.
"But overall, I am happy with the nine points this week. Today we used the assist delivered by our rivals."
With title rivals RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund all losing this weekend, Bayern remain firmly on course for a ninth consecutive Bundesliga title.
After 18 games, the Munich side have 42 points with second-placed Leipzig on 35. Leverkusen and Wolfsburg both have 32.
Despite Bayern's two late goals, it was a far closer game than Bayern's 8-0 hammering of Schalke on the opening day in September, testament both to Schalke's recent improvement under new manager Christian Gross and to Bayern's own dip in form, with two rare defeats this month.
Hansi Flick's side, though, have now followed up those surprise losses with three wins on the spin.
Schalke, struggling to avoid relegation, had the stronger start with a string of chances and Mark Uth missed the best of them with a header from seven metres.
Bayern needed about 20 minutes to find their way into the game and gradually took control, going in front when Joshua Kimmich floated a cross into the box and Mueller scored with a darting header.
Lewandowski then latched onto another superb Kimmich assist to slot the ball home, setting a league record by scoring in an eighth consecutive away game.
The Royal Blues, anchored in last place on seven points, refused to give up and had opportunities before Bayern scored twice through Muller and Alaba in the final four minutes.
The Bavarians have scored a club record 53 goals after 18 league games which is more at this stage than in any season.
Schalke remain rooted to the bottom of the table, with seven points from 18 games and are 10 points from safety as they battles deep-seated financial problems worsened by the coronavirus.
They have lost all three games since a hat-trick from US striker Matthew Hoppe led the team to a 4-0 win over Hoffenheim on January 9 – the club's first league win in nearly a year.
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Gallery: Bayern's shock DFB Cup exit to Holstein Kiel
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Bayern Munich Manuel Neuer after his team lost their DFB Cup second round match between Holstein Kiel following a penalty shootout. Getty -
Fin Bartels of Holstein Kiel celebrates after winning the shootout at Wunderino Arena. Getty -
Holstein Kiel's Jannik Dehm celebrates with teammate after their shock DFB Cup win over Bayern. Getty -
Bayern attacker Thomas Muller during their DFB Cup defeat. Getty -
Dejected Bayern players after their defeat. EPA -
Bayern's Serge Gnabry sprints away from Fin Bartels of Holstein Kiel. Getty -
Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer after Holstein Kiel's Hauke Wahl scored their second goal. Reuters -
Holstein Kiel celebrate after winning the penalty shootout. Getty -
Kiel's players celebrate after beating Bayern Munich. AP -
Bayern's Thomas Muller. Getty -
Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick. Getty -
Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller and Stefan Thesker of Holstein Kiel challenge for the ball. AFP -
Kiel's Fin Bartels celebrates with Jae-sung Lee after scoring their first goal. AP -
Lee Jae-Song scores for Holstein Kiel only for the goal to be disallowed. Getty
