Bayern Munich 4-0 Cologne: Lewandowski scores two more as Coutinho opens account

Munich, Sept. 21: Robert Lewandowski's magnificent scoring form continued with a decisive brace in Bayern Munich's clinical 4-0 home win over Cologne on Saturday.

The in-form forward scored at the start of either half to set up the victory and become only the second man - after Peter Meyer - to register nine goals after five Bundesliga games.

He might have reached 10 had Philippe Coutinho not grasped the chance to open his Bayern account by converting the penalty he won just after the hour.

Kingsley Ehizibue saw red for the foul and Niko Kovac's men made their numerical advantage count, completing the rout with a fourth through Ivan Perisic.

Lewandowski struck in the third minute against RB Leipzig last weekend and did likewise here for his 10th goal of the season in all competitions.

Played in by Joshua Kimmich, the striker's finish deflected off Sebastiaan Bornauw's outstretched boot and bounced over Timo Horn.

Coutinho initiated the opener with a cute flick and soon curled a free-kick into the near post.

Cologne started to ask questions through Jhon Cordoba before Lewandowski found the top of the net from an awkward angle in first-half added time.

He made no mistake after the interval, rising high to nod in Kimmich's corner in the 48th minute.

There was more misery for Cologne on the hour as right-back Ehizibue bundled Coutinho to the floor in the box and was shown a straight red card.

The Brazilian dusted himself off and coolly converted twice, his first successful effort chalked off due to encroachment.

Kimmich then guided a curling effort against the upright but Bayern were not to be denied a fourth as winger Perisic fired across Horn in the 73rd minute.

There was time left for Manuel Neuer to make his own impressive contribution to the victory, the goalkeeper underlining his status as Germany's first choice when he parried Rafael Czichos' strike in the closing moments.

What does it mean? Bayern delivering on Kovac belief

Kovac described the 1-1 draw at Leipzig as Bayern's "best performance" of the season and it appears his team is ready to produce more such showings.

While this was not a perfect display, it maintained the momentum of the midweek Champions League victory over Red Star Belgrade and bore hallmarks of a side that is starting to gel nicely.

Coutinho oozes class in favoured role

Granted the chance to pull the strings from his preferred position behind the striker, Coutinho did not disappoint.

Coutinho, on loan from Barcelona, was involved in Bayern's best three attacking moments of the first half and was fully deserving of his first goal for the club.

Ehizibue takes an early bath

Denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity left referee Patrick Ittrich with no choice but to dismiss Cologne defender Ehizibue.

The 24-year-old could have avoided such a sanction had he attempted a challenge with his feet, but can be forgiven for wanting an early escape after completing just over half his 19 passes on what was a difficult day.

What's next?

Bayern travel to bottom-placed Paderborn, another newly promoted side, next Saturday.

Cologne have an extra day to prepare for a home date with Hertha Berlin.