COLOGNE, Germany, Feb 16 (Reuters) – Bayern Munich scored three goals in a devastating opening 12 minutes as they thumped Cologne 4-1 away on Sunday to go back to the top of the Bundesliga.
Robert Lewandowski maintained his average of over a goal a game this season as he put the Bavarians ahead in the third minute and goals from Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry left Cologne reeling.
Gnabry added a fourth in the 65th minute and Mark Uth scored a consolation for the hosts who fought back well in the second half.
Bayern, chasing an eighth successive title, have 46 points from 22 games, one ahead of RB Leipzig who had gone top with a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen on Saturday. Cologne are 14th with 23 points and have a six-point cushion over the relegation playoff spot. (Reporting by Brian Homewood, editing by Ed Osmond)