Bayern Munich 5 Cologne 1: Lewandowski & Gnabry both score twice as Bundesliga giants celebrate 121st birthday in style

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI and Serge Gnabry both scored twice as Bayern Munich routed Cologne to stay two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Celebrating their 121st birthday, the German giants were keen to celebrate in style.

And goals from Lewandowski, Gnabry and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ensured it was a happy birthday indeed.

Leon Goretzka was the unsung hero of the afternoon, chipping in three assists in a typically dominant midfield display.

Choupo-Moting opened the champions’ account with his first league goal this season.

The former Stoke and Paris Saint-Germain striker headed in Goretzka’s cross at the far post in the 18th minute.

Lewandowski struck 15 minutes later, combining with Goretzka after a dreadful back-pass.

The Polish goal-machine made it 28 league goals for the season from an assist by Thomas Muller, seconds after the midfielder came off the bench.

Bayern legend Muller has been absent lately having tested positive for coronavirus.

But he marked his 65th-minute introduction with a bang, immediately setting up Lewandowski to score.

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Muller is the Bundesliga’s top provider with 11 assists this season alone.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski is looking to break Gerd Muller’s record of 40 league goals in a single season.

That record dates back as far the 1971-72 campaign.

Substitute Gnabry completed the rout with two late goals in four minutes.

The win moved Bayern to 52 points for the campaign, with RB Leipzig keeping pace with the reigning champions with a thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Monchengladbach later on Saturday.

Next up, Bayern host Borussia Dortmund in an eagerly-anticipated showdown.

Dortmund themselves beat Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 to move up to fifth in the Bundesliga.

Jadon Sancho notched his 50th assist – in a league-record 99 games – before scoring from the penalty spot to continue his purple patch.