Three times Dusseldorf were forced to come back from behind against Schalke in what was a cracking encounter at the Veltins-Arena which finished 3-3. The visitors have their big centre-forward to thank for the point gained, as he scored a second-half hat-trick. The first came via the penalty spot, while the next two displayed an ice-cold demeanour in front of goal - a side-footed strike into the top left corner and then with five minutes to go, a smart lob over the oncoming goalkeeper.
Lewandowski came back to haunt his former club again with a couple of goals in Bayern's comprehensive 4-0 victory against Dortmund on Saturday in Der Klassiker. Both of his goals came typically came within 10 yards as he displayed his predatory instinct in front of goal. The first came 17 minutes in as he bulleted a Thomas Muller cross into the top right corner, with his German colleague also setting up his second with a half-volleyed touch into the centre which was finished in emphatic fashion. He had 40 touches during game, but who needs more when you score so many goals?
Union Berlin made it two wins on the bounce as they overcame relegation rivals Mainz 3-2, with Andersson scoring two within six minutes after the break. Both goals were a showcase of his threat in the air as for the first he slammed a header home from a corner, while the second was more of a glancing attempt from a similar range. He was involved in a huge 31 duels throughout the game, and won 19, whilst also winning 15 out of 19 aerial duels. What a handful.
In the aforementioned win for Union Berlin over Mainz, Onisiwo was unfortunate to be on the losing side as he strived to get his team back into the game whilst 3-0 down in the second period by contributing to their two goals. He entered the action with around half-an-hour remaining, and scored 20 minutes later with a close-range finish after diverting a cross home. It was too late to have a true bearing on the result, but he also assisted Mainz's second with a ball down the left for Daniel Brosinski to make up for his previous own goal.
One of the reasons for Niko Kovac's premature tenure in charge of Bayern was his alleged falling out with Muller, with the German's return to the starting XI being welcomed, especially by Lewandowski who benefitted from two crosses from his colleague to score versus Dortmund. Muller was, as usual, a workhorse from that right wing but displayed his quality on the ball with two pin-point balls into the head and then feet of Lewandowski to score his double.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Augsburg secured a vital 1-0 away victory against fellow relegation candidates Paderborn, and goalkeeper Tomas Koubek (8.7) was vital to the clean sheet as he made four saves, as well as a penalty save seven minutes in.
ROUND TO FORGET
Jerry St. Juste (5.1), not for the first time this season, makes our round to forget as he lost 17 duels, 12 aerial duels, and won just one out of four attempted tackles. Perhaps it was time he was rested/dropped?
