Bayern Munich collected their first win at Schalke in nearly 10 years as Miroslav Klose’s early goal earned the Bundesliga leaders a narrow victory.

Klose scored in the 14th minute to end his seven-match goalless streak and allow Bayern to claim maximum points in Gelsenkirchen for the first time since October 1998. The victory also stretched Bayern’s unbeaten run to nine games as Ottmar Hitzfeld’s club hold on to top spot in the standings - four points ahead of Werder Bremen, who saw off Borussia Dortmund.

However, the pressure is starting to mount on Schalke boss Mirko Slomka, who has seen his team lose three matches in a row and tumble down the table to sixth. Schalke started the stronger team and pushed forward trying to test Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn.

But it was the visitors who grabbed the lead in the 14th minute following a neat series of passes. Bastian Schweinsteiger laid a beautiful ball off to Franck Ribery and the Frenchman found Klose, who nudged the ball over the goalline with his hip.

Bayern then turned up the heat on Schalke and had a number of excellent chances, including Daniel van Buyten’s header which sailed narrowly wide of goal on the half-hour mark. The visitors’ backline almost conceded an equaliser three minutes later as Heiko Westermann’s shot took a wicked deflection off Lucio but fell just wide of the target.

And Bayern could have doubled their advantage in the 64th minute. Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did a fine job palming away Luca Toni’s header, but the rebound fell directly to Van Buyten, whose own header struck the crossbar.

Schalke continued to struggle although Marcelo Bordon’s header was directed into the side netting in the 68th minute. Bayern then pulled back in numbers to deal with Schalke’s ultimately fruitless push over the final 20 minutes. And the home side’s frustration became evident as the clock ticked down with three bookings in the final three minutes.