On-song Munich motor on

FC Bayern beat Hertha Berlin 4-1 on Sunday, winning their fourth straight Bundesliga away match. Corentin Tolisso and Thomas Müller handed Bayern a more than deserved two-goal lead in the first half. Leroy Sané closed out the meeting with a quarter-hour to go before Serge Gnabry made it four, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp scoring a consolation goal for Hertha.

The league leaders lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle and Lucas Hernández in defence. Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Tolisso and Kingsley Coman featured in midfield, with Müller, Robert Lewandowski and Sané up front. Marcel Sabitzer, Omar Richards, Dayot Upamecano, Jamal Musiala and Paul Wanner took over from Tolisso, Coman, Hernández, Gnabry and Müller in the second half.

One-way traffic

Once referee Bastian Dankert had whistled play underway, Bayern hit the ground running and had the ball in the net after just one minute, but Tolisso's goal was ruled out for offside. Müller and Lewandowski fired over before Hertha keeper Alexander Schwolow denied Müller. Bayern were utterly dominant, Coman and Sané drawing saves from Schwolow, who made another strong save against Lewandowski minutes later.

The men from the capital had their first chance after 20 minutes, Neuer denying Belfodil, but Munich drew first blood when Coman's cross invited Tolisso to head home. Schwolow denied Lewandowski and Müller but was unable to prevent the second goal just before half-time, Müller flicking a Kimmich free-kick past the keeper.

Leroy and Serge on target

Proceedings were similar after the restart, Sané seeing an effort saved before firing just wide, although Hertha's Serdar soon miscued from close range. Gnabry raced clear and had only Schwolow to beat but aimed too far before hitting the side-netting a minute later.

Schlowow denied Lewandowski and Müller, but Bayern put the game to bed when Sané intercepted a Schwolow pass and slotted into the open goal. Gnabry had a lob cleared off the line but got his goal when he latched onto a fine Kimmich pass and fired into the far corner. Hertha soon pulled one back, Neuer denying Jovetic, with Ekkelenkamp dispatching the loose ball. Sané found the net with a sumptuous drive but the goal was disallowed for handball after VAR intervention, and Dankert blew for full-time.

The result means Bayern have 49 points from 20 matches, six ahead of Dortmund. The Bavarians will be back in action on 5 February, when they entertain Leipzig.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen