Bayern Munich opened up an 11-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga by beating Hertha Berlin 2-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Thomas Muller and Kingsley Coman supplied the goals for Pep Guardiola's men, who never looked in danger of conceding and could perhaps have won by a greater margin with some better finishing.
The win, obtained almost without breaking a sweat, means the Bavarians will be certain of going into the winter break as Bundesliga leaders if Borussia Dortmund fail to beat Stuttgart on Sunday.
Guardiola took his place on the Bayern bench, despite being forced to return to Spain on Friday due to a family bereavement.
That meant he was unable to put the finishing touches to his side in their final training session, but there did not appear to be any effect on Bayern's usual dominant approach.
Hertha packed men inside their own area and did well when repelling Bayern's attacks, many of which came from deep crosses which the Hertha rearguard had no problem in dealing with.
One cross into the area, from the corner flag, caused more problems in the 34th minute with Medhi Benatia flicking Xabi Alonso's ball on to the far post, where Muller was in a typical poacher's position to nod in from close range.
Rune Jarstein denied Arturo Vidal with a great save five minutes later with Fabian Lustenberger coming to his rescue to clear Benatia's effort off the line after the Hertha goalkeeper had parried Robert Lewandowski's effort.
Jarstein was beaten just five minutes before half-time, though, when Coman turned in Javi Martinez's volleyed pass to give Bayern a comfortable cushion.
Lewandowski wasted two more good chances early in the second half as Bayern continued to dominate, not letting Hertha have even a sight of the ball.
The home team's attacks were, however, rare and Jarstein was always ready when called upon, making further saves from Lewandowski and then Vidal, both of whom perhaps should have celebrated at least one goal.
Holger Badstuber was sent on for a rare slice of the action after his lengthy injury absence, while Sebastian Rode was also given some minutes by Guardiola, whose side continued to hold full control over the proceedings.
Aside from a late Salomon Kalou effort which missed the target in the 88th minute, Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had been little more than a spectator in Bayern's latest Bundesliga win -- their 13th out of 14 matches.