Thomas Muller scores late Bayern Munich penalty to beat Augsburg

Alexandra Beier/Bongarts/Getty Images

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Bayern Munich made it four wins from four this season although they left it late to beat Bavarian rivals Augsburg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena.

Alexander Esswein's goal just before half-time looked like it might be enough for Markus Weinzierl's men to beat Bayern for the second time in four months, but Robert Lewandowski levelled with 13 minutes remaining.

A controversial penalty -- Thomas Muller's sixth goal of the season -- then earned Pep Guardiola's men all three points.

Augsburg won on their last visit to the Allianz Arena with their coach Weinzierl having succeeded twice in beating Guardiola's men prior to Saturday.

That was something Bayern were keen to redress and they had a good early chance to do so when Lewandowski reached Xabi Alonso's corner and his touch was nearly met by Muller as it went agonisingly wide of the far post.

Thiago Alcantara went even closer as he became the first Bayern player to test Marwin Hitz midway through the first half, but the Augsburg goalkeeper responded to the challenge.

Bayern were at this stage camped in the Augsburg half of the field, but Weinzierl's men were keeping them at bay without committing any fouls, until Douglas Costa was felled by Koo Ja-cheol just outside the penalty area, giving Bayern a promising opportunity from 20 yards.

It was David Alaba territory, but just as the Augsburg defence had kept Bayern at bay so well up to then, their wall repelled the Austrian's effort.

Muller tried with a backheel and Paul Verhaegh stole the ball off Lewandowski's toes before Augsburg stunned the Allianz Arena, just like four months ago, by taking the lead.

Koo, making his third debut for Augsburg after two previous loan spells, pulled the ball back for Esswein, who drilled his effort into the top corner of Manuel Neuer's goal.

Lewandowski shot straight at Hitz five minutes into the second half of an inevitably one-sided second half, with Thiago slicing a close-range effort over before Guardiola played his new card, Kingsley Coman.

He replaced his former Juventus teammate Arturo Vidal as Bayern doubled their attacking efforts.

Alonso's free kick was punched away by Hitz, who was also able to keep Muller's effort out in the 77th minute, but his luck had run out as Lewandowski was there to turn the loose ball in from close range.

Augsburg tried to hold firm and were close to doing so, until Douglas Costa ran into Markus Feulner as he tried to get past the Augsburg midfielder and his tumble convinced the referee to award a penalty.

Muller had the composure to step up to the spot in the 90th minute and score his 19th penalty from 21 attempts to earn Bayern victory and leave Augsburg still waiting for their first win of the season.