Bayern beat Hanover 3-0 to maintain perfect start

BERLIN, Aug 25 (Reuters) Bayern Munich beat Hanover 96 3-0 at the Allianz Arena today to make it three wins out of three and take a two-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.

Bayern took the lead in the 28th minute when Luca Toni struck with his third goal of the season.

Hanover 96 had Altin Lala sent off before the end of the first half and Bayern helped themselves to another satisfying victory with goals from Mark van Bommel and Hamit Altintop.

With three games played, Bayern are the only side still with a perfect record. Arminia Bielefeld, 2-0 winners at home to Hertha Berlin today, and VfL Bochum, who beat Hamburg SV 2-1 yesterday, each have seven points.

Champions VfB Stuttgart got their first win of the season, with a goal from Mario Gomez enough for them to beat Duisburg 1-0. Werder Bremen also tasted victory for the first time as a goal from Martin Harnik gave them a 1-0 win away to Nuremberg.

Schalke 04, last season's runners-up, will join Bielefeld and Bochum on the seven-point mark if they win away to VfL Wolfsburg tomorrow.

REUTERS SSC BD2200