Rejuvenated Bayern crush Hanover to close in on top spot

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski shoots at goal REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

BERLIN (Reuters) - Bayern Munich demolished hosts Hanover 96 4-0 on Saturday to make it three league wins in a row for the rejuvenated champions but they remained nine points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern, who took the lead with a Joshua Kimmich goal after only 62 seconds, oozed new-found confidence as they rode roughshod over the hosts.

They fired 13 shots on goal compared to their opponents' single effort in the first half and David Alaba doubled their lead with a 29th-minute missile from 20 metres.

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in action with Hannover's Kevin Wimmer REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

In the absence of their veteran wingers -- Arjen Robben was injured and Franck Ribery rested -- 22-year-old Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry terrorised the Hanover defence with their speed.

Gnabry made it 3-0 in the 53rd and Robert Lewandowski headed in their fourth goal in the 62nd as the hosts capitulated.

"The team played really well over 90 minutes, created many chances and the result should have been higher," said Bayern coach Niko Kovac, whose position looked in doubt only a few weeks ago with his team in sixth at that point.

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Mats Hummels in action with Hannover's Takuma Asano REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

Bayern also finished top of their Champions League group after their midweek 3-3 draw at Ajax Amsterdam.

"It was good to see the team take the Bundesliga very seriously after such a hard game at Ajax. We did our homework and were dominant. I can feel we are turning the corner," said Kovac.

Bayern, who have put last month's dip in form behind them two matchdays before the start of the winter break, moved on to 30 points, third on goal difference behind Borussia Moenchengladbach, who drew 0-0 at Hoffenheim.

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski in action with Hannover's Felipe REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

Leaders Dortmund are on 39 after beating Werder Bremen 2-1 for their sixth straight league win.

Mario Gomez scored twice for VfB Stuttgart to help them beat Hertha Berlin 2-1 but the victory was overshadowed by the sudden death of the father of Stuttgart captain Christian Gentner in the stadium immediately after the game.

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ian Chadband and Clare Fallon)

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry (hidden) celebrates scoring their third goal with Thomas Mueller and team mates REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scores their fourth goal REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich - HDI-Arena, Hanover, Germany - December 15, 2018 Hannover fans display banners before the match REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video