Bayern Munich cruised seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga with a commanding 3-0 victory over Cologne, courtesy of first goals of the season from Spanish defensive duo Javi Martinez and Juan Bernat, before Franck Ribery wrapped up a comfortable three points with a third in the final seconds.
Positives
Unlike in Berlin, Freiburg and Ingolstadt in 2017, Bayern didn't have to rely on any last-gasp goals to eke out some extra points. Buoyant Bayern have scored 20 goals in their last five games in all competitions -- Arsenal beware.
Negatives
Thomas Muller was strangely subdued as he has been for a large majority of the season.
Manager rating out of 10
8 -- Italian maestro Carlo Ancelotti's 1,002nd game in charge as a top-level trainer ended with that accustomed winning feeling.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Manuel Neuer, 8 -- With the game still goalless on 19 minutes, Bayern's ever-present goalkeeper produced a miraculous match-winning save on Japanese striker Yuya Osako's powerful header. The rest is history as Neuer secured his 101st Bundesliga clean sheet for Bayern.
DF Juan Bernat, 7 -- The Spanish international slotted in at left-back and scored only his second-ever league goal for the club with a deflected shot on 48 minutes to double Bayern's advantage. He might easily have conceded a penalty moments later after sending Osako tumbling in the box, and he picked up a yellow card for a foul on the same player late on.
DF David Alaba, 7 -- Alaba had few problems dealing with Cologne's 17-goal striker Anthony Modeste after replacing Mats Hummels at centre-back on account of the German's sore buttock.
DF Javi Martinez, 8 -- Martinez broke the deadlock after 25 minutes, tapping home his first goal of the season from close range. Bayern's record signing was always a threat with his aerial prowess, going close to scoring with a glancing second-half header. He also produced a spectacular saving clearance from a rare Cologne breakaway.
DF Philipp Lahm, 7 -- Given the night off against Schalke in midweek, and fresh enough to deliver the standard top-notch performance in partnership with young Kingsley Coman down the right flank, denying Cologne a sniff of a chance.
MF Arturo Vidal, 7 -- "One of the best midfielders in the world," according to Ancelotti at Friday's news conference. He impressed with a typical in-your-face, never-say-die performance on his 50th Bundesliga appearance for Bayern. Highlights include laying on Martinez's opener and an almost inevitable yellow card for a rough tackle on Marco Hoger in the first half. He was given a late breather for Joshua Kimmich with the game in the bag.
MF Thiago, 9 -- Vibrant, elegant, strutting his stuff with gusto in midfield and at the heart of all of Bayern's inventiveness.
MF Douglas Costa, 6 -- Replaced Franck Ribery from the Schalke starting lineup, as Ancelotti enjoys the rare luxury of an almost fully fit squad. One of his prodigiously fierce, whipped-in crosses helped set up the opener, but the Brazilian hobbled off shortly after Bayern's second goal. But a relieved Ancelotti confirmed "it's nothing serious" at the post match news conference.
MF Kingsley Coman, 6 -- The Frenchman's first league start since mid-October, and he still hasn't completed a full 90 minutes this season. Brighter than his wing partner Costa, but Coman won't be challenging Arjen Robben for a starting berth anytime soon.
MF Thomas Muller, 6 -- Like his skipper Lahm, Muller was "rested" against sorry Schalke in the cup and enjoyed a largely anonymous opening period. He livened up after the break to provide the assist for Bernat's bonus goal but couldn't add to his paltry one goal Bundesliga tally this season.
FW Robert Lewandowski, 6 -- Bayern's 30-goal striker produced none of his recent heroics, seeing a firm header well saved in the first half by Thomas Kessler. Reasonably well-marshalled by his ex-BVB teammate Neven Subotic.
Substitutes
MF Franck Ribery, 7 -- Replaced the crocked Costa for his first Bundesliga outing since he featured against Werder Bremen in late January. Bayern's second-longest-serving player capped a bright performance by firing a third in the dying seconds.
MF Joshua Kimmich, N/R -- Replaced Vidal for the final 17 minutes with the game over as a contest and will hope for more game time in London on Tuesday against Arsenal.
DF Rafinha, N/R -- The twice-capped Brazilian stepped in for the tiring Coman on the right-hand side of midfield for an untroubled final eight minutes, securing his 100th Bundesliga win in Bayern colours.