Dortmund thrash Köln and claim top spot in Bundesliga

Mueez Ajao

– Borussia Dortmund climbed to the top of the Bundesliga standings after demolishing visitors Cologne 6-1 on Saturday, with Sebastien Haller and captain Marco Reus both scoring twice.

– The Ruhr valley club, who last won the Bundesliga title under then coach Jurgen Klopp in 2012, underlined their title ambitions by blowing away their opponents during an explosive four-goal first half performance.

– Dortmund are now on 53 points, one ahead of Bayern Munich ahead of their Sunday match against Bayer Leverkusen. RB Leipzig are third on 45 following their shock 1-0 loss to struggling VfL Bochum.

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– Raphael Guerreiro, on target last week against Schalke as well, opened Dortmund’s account in the 15th minute after superb work down the wing from Donyell Malen.

– Ivory Coast striker Haller, back to full fitness after undergoing cancer treatment earlier in the season, thundered in after a quick passing move two minutes later.

– With Cologne playing catch-up it was only a matter of time until Dortmund scored again and Reus superbly rifled in just after half an hour before Malen also got on the scoresheet with a powerful shot that keeper Marvin Schwaebe could not keep out.

– Cologne briefly came up for air in the 42nd when Davie Selke cut the deficit with his first goal for the club but despite a slower pace after the break Dortmund still struck twice in two minutes.

– Haller tucked in his second goal after a Mo Dahoud free kick bounced off the bar and Reus made it 150 Bundesliga goals and a total of 161 goals in all competitions for the club in the 70th.