Bayern Munich return to winning ways by beating Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich got back to winning ways in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

Thiago Alcantara gave Carlo Ancelotti's men the lead and Mats Hummels headed the winner after Hakan Calhanoglu had levelled.

The win came at the end of a week in which Bayern had lost in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, yet it was a far from convincing display by the defending champions.

Bayern came into the game in the unusual situation of not being the Bundesliga leaders and struggled to get going, with Douglas Costa's weak header in the 19th minute summing their start up.

But they took the lead on the half-hour when Philipp Lahm's shot was saved by Bernd Leno but the ball looped up for Alcantara to nod home from close range.

Robert Lewandowski was denied by Leno moments later, while Joshua Kimmich -- in an offside position -- hit the crossbar with the next loose ball.

Thoughts that Bayern were going to get back into a rhythm were soon dashed as Leverkusen levelled.

Calhanoglu played a neat one-two with Julian Brandt before lifting his shot past Manuel Neuer and into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Wendell slid in well to prevent Lewandowski from cutting into the penalty area from the right late on in a first half that brought boos from sections of the crowd.

Bayern emerged for the second period with something of a point to prove and they regained the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Hummels rose to meet Kimmich's corner from seven yards.

Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt's reaction was to send Kevin Volland and Javier Hernandez into the action, confirming that he had no intention of going down without a fight.

The change opened things up with both sides taking turns to attack, Calhanoglu seeing an effort blocked before Costa suffered the same fate at the other end.

Leverkusen almost levelled late on when Volland raced onto a ball over the top and chipped it past the onrushing Neuer, but he was unable to head home from the tightest of angles.

Bayern were able to hold on for a much-needed win that returns them to within three points of leaders Leipzig.