Bayern went 3-0 ahead within 13 minutes of Saturday's match at the Allianz Arena, thanks to strikes from Mario Gomez, Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Germany striker Gomez completed his brace in the second half when he netted from the penalty spot.

It did not take long for the home side to hit their stride, with Gomez opening the scoring after just five minutes as he made a clever turn and fired inside the left post from 20 yards.

Two minutes later, fullback Jerome Boateng burst to the touch line before crossing, and France international Ribery tapped in from close range.

The result was put beyond doubt in the 13th minute when Ribery turned provider, playing the ball to Schweinsteiger at the edge of the box and the vice-captain's low drive nestled itself into the back of the net.

Gomez completed the rout from the spot in the 69th minute.

Ribery was tripped inside the box to win the foul, and Hertha goalkeeper Thomas Kraft, who left the Bavarian giants in the offseason, was beaten by his former teammate.

The result sees league leaders Bayern move five points clear of Borussia Monchengladbach after the second-placed side were held 2-2 at home by Bayer Leverkusen.

Leverkusen led in the match through Stefan Reinartz's 19th-minute strike, with Marco Reus levelling for the hosts on 65 minutes.

Two minutes later and Leverkusen went down to 10 men with the sending off of Gonzalo Castro.

Patrick Herrmann struck to give Monchengladbach the lead and they appeared on course to record the victory, before Andre Schurrle snatched an equaliser for Leverkusen with three minutes remaining.

In other matches, Shinji Okazaki's goal and a penalty from Pavel Pogrebnyak helped Stuttgart run out 2-0 winners in their match at home to Hoffenheim.

Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker's penalty with two minutes remaining saw promoted Augsburg win 1-0 away at Mainz.

And Mario Mandzukic's brace helped Wolfsburg overcome Nurnberg 2-1.