Borussia Dortmund 0-1 Bayern Munich

Robert Lewandowski has scored 16 goals in all competitions in his debut Bayern Munich season

Robert Lewandowski condemned former club Borussia Dortmund to defeat and helped Bayern Munich close in on a third successive Bundesliga title.

The Poland striker headed in after Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller parried Thomas Muller's shot.

Lewandowski, who left Dortmund in the summer to join rivals Bayern, did not celebrate his first-half goal.

Midfielder Thiago completed a fine day for Bayern, coming off the bench after a year out with a knee injury.

It was a resilient display from a Bayern side who are now 10 points clear at the top of the table but had a point to prove following a first home defeat in 11 months last time out, when they lost 2-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Winger Arjen Robben tore an abdominal muscle in that defeat and was ruled out for "several weeks" ensuring he missed the meeting with rivals Dortmund.

This was the 14th time the teams have met in competitive fixtures in the last three seasons and Champions League quarter-finalists Bayern were favourites to win.

But they were up against a Dortmund side who have been much-improved in recent weeks.

When Dortmund lost to Augsburg on 4 February to remain bottom of the German top-flight table, the players went to placate vocal fans at the final whistle.

But a seven-game unbeaten run in the league since has taken Jurgen Klopp's men to 10th and looking up to Europa League places rather than down towards the second tier.

Their confidence was evident during a tight contest at the Westfalenstadion, when they never looked outclassed or intimidated by their opponents.

However, it was Bayern who had the best of the few first-half chances.

Lewandowski had the ball in the net on 15 minutes after a one-two with Muller but it was correctly ruled out for offside.

However, the 26-year-old was not to be denied for long, beating defender Marcel Schmelzer to the ball after Muller's shot had been saved to head in.

A more urgent Dortmund began creating opportunities after the break and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan came close when he drilled a long-range effort wide.

Marco Reus wasted a fine chance on the hour, beating the Bayern offside trap but firing his effort into the side-netting.

Manuel Neuer had barely had a save to make until two minutes from time, when he brilliantly stopped Reus's free-kick.

Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller conceded three goals in his side's last home match, the 3-0 Champions League defeat by Juventus

Dortmund striker Marco Reus wasted his team's best chance, hitting the side-netting after breaking clear

Bayern's Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso has started 21 league games for Bayern this season

Head coach Pep Guardiola watched Bayern keep another clean sheet - they have let in only 13 goals all season