Super Bayern thrash sorry Leverkusen

FC Bayern downed Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 on Sunday, consolidating their lead in the table. Robert Lewandowski handed Bayern an early lead before the champions scored four goals in seven minutes before half-time, Lewandowski, Thomas Müller and two-goal Serge Gnabry finding the net. Bayern engaged cruise control in the second half, and Patrik Schick's goal for the hosts was little more than a footnote.

The Bavarians lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Niklas Süle, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Hernández and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Gnabry, Müller and Leroy Sané, with Lewandowski up front. Josip Stanišić came on for Davies before the interval and Marcel Sabitzer replaced Goretzka at half-time, with Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman and Omar Richards taking over from Müller, Lewandowski and Süle in the second half.

World-class performance

The champions roared off the blocks and drew first blood after only three minutes, a Kimmich free-kick finding Upamecano, who invited Lewandowski to open with a fine back-heel. Bayern were completely in control, and Sané saw an effort blocked before smashing against the post. Davies and Goretzka saw their efforts saved, but Lewandowski doubled the lead on the half-hour, crowning a fine counter-attack.

A third came minutes later, Müller deflecting a Süle shot past keeper Hradecky. Bayern had plenty more salt to rub into the home side's wounds, Gnabry scoring from Müller's cross and rounding off his brace two minutes later, when he slotted home after a one-two with Goretzka. Sané fired over, and the sides turned round with Bayern enjoying a five-goal lead.

Cruise control

Julian Nagelsmann's men shifted down through the gears after the restart. Sané tested Hradecky before Neuer was called into action for the first time, denying Demirbay. Wirtz soon invited Schick to score a not too consolatory consolation goal before a Süle header only just evaded the lurking Lewandowski.

Süle saw a shot blocked and another one saved, Sané miscuing a header. Sabitzer fired inches over and Hradecky denied Coman before Alario beat Neuer, but the linesman's flag was up for offside, and match official Sven Jablonski blew for full-time.

The result takes Bayern onto 19 points from eight matches, one point ahead of Dortmund. Bayern will be back in action on Wednesday, when they travel to face Benfica in the Champions League.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen