Lewy record, Coutinho scores as Bayern batter Cologne

BERLIN, Sept 21 (Reuters) – Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski scored twice to equal a 51-year-old record as champions Bayern Munich demolished Cologne 4-0 on Saturday to climb to the top spot of the standings.

Poland striker Lewandowski grabbed the first two goals and, after Cologne’s Kingsley Ehizibue was sent off, Philippe Coutinho converted a penalty to make it 3-0 and Ivan Perisic completed the rout with a low shot.

Lewandowski, who has been Bundesliga top scorer four times in the last six seasons, has now netted nine times in the opening five league matches, equalling a record set by Borussia Moenchengladbach’s Peter Mayer in the 1967-68 season.

Bayern are top on 11 points with RB Leipzig, on 10, facing Werder Bremen later on Saturday.

Borussia Dortmund, on nine, travel to Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann, editing by Ed Osmond)