Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick and a beauty from Corentin Tolisso have helped Bayern Munich crush Cologne 4-0 to restore their six-point Bundesliga advantage over Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski’s latest haul brings him to 300 career goals in the Bundesliga – a tally bettered only by the 365 of the legendary Gerd Muller.
“We’re happy and grateful he plays in the team,” said Manuel Neuer. “We’re overjoyed he’s there – a machine in the box.”
Bayern had started the new year with a nine-point lead but their coronavirus-decimated squad lost to Borussia Monchengladbach while consecutive Dortmund wins, including a 5-1 thumping of Freiburg on Friday, sliced the gap.
Yet the cruise in Cologne on Saturday highlights a tight title race is not yet guaranteed as Bayern pursue a record-extending 10th consecutive championship.
“I think after the defeat against Gladbach it was mainly important for us to get first points of the new year,” captain Manuel Neuer told Sky Sports.
Lewandowski’s crisp finish from Thomas Muller’s assist opened the scoring in the ninth minute and Muller was again involved in the 25th, playing a delightful one-two before Tolisso found the top corner to celebrate his return from a coronavirus infection.
The Polish striker then sealed things with two more after the break.
Elsewhere, Hoffenheim lost 2-1 at Union Berlin, while Mainz beat Bochum 1-0, VfB Stuttgart’s worries continued with a 2-0 home defeat to RB Leizpig and crisis clubs Wolfsburg and Hertha Berlin shared a 0-0 draw.
The games took place with only a smattering of fans in stadiums due to the coronavirus pandemic with exact numbers determined by regional rules.
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