Champions Bayern Munich needed a second-half goal from defender Javi Martinez to edge past visitors Hertha Berlin 1-0 on Saturday and join leaders Borussia Dortmund at the top of the Bundesliga.
The Bavarians, seven points behind Borussia Dortmund a few weeks ago, have now won 10 of their last 11 league games to draw level on 51 points.
But Bayern Munich stay second on goal difference,
Borussia Dortmund could reclaim the outright lead on Sunday if they avoid defeat when they host an in-form Bayer Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich, who drew 0-0 at Liverpool earlier this week in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg, were in complete control.
But they lacked clinical finishing as Hertha waited to counter-attack.
“Today we won a difficult game and it was all about the victory,” said Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac.
“We had problems in the first half and at the end of the day it was a set-piece that decided this game.
“We had also worked very hard in Liverpool in midweek and the lads now deserve two days’ rest. Overall I am satisfied with the performance.”
Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich almost scored an own goal when he attempted to clear a Davie Selke effort on the line.
But he mis-hit the ball, which luckily rolled wide, in the 57th minute.
Five minutes after Hertha Berlin’s biggest chance, however, Spaniard Martinez headed the hosts in front from a James Rodriguez corner to settle their nerves.
Hertha Berlin were left with 10 men when Karim Rekik lost his temper and hit striker Robert Lewandowski in the 84th minute, following a challenge outside the Hertha Berlin box.
There was also bad news for Bayern Munich.
Winger Kingsley Coman, recently recovered from an ankle injury, was taken off with a suspected thigh injury nine minutes after coming on in the 58th minute.
“We will have to wait for further checks to see about Coman,” said Kovac. “I hope it is not too bad.”
Third-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach lost further ground in the title race with a 3-0 home loss to VfL Wolfsburg.
It was their third straight game without a win, and it left them stuck on 43 points.
Schalke 04 slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Mainz 05, days after their spirited performance in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.
They remained in 14th and triggered the early departure of sports director Christian Heidel.
He informed the club after the loss that he would leave by the summer at the latest, a year ahead of his contract’s end.
