'Like something from Sunday League': Bayern bulldoze Dortmund to make statement in German title race

A devastating first-half performance saw Bayern Munich take a giant step towards another Bundesliga crown as they obliterated title rivals Borussia Dortmund with five unanswered goals in Saturday's top-of-the-table clash.

Dortmund, who began the day in the top spot in the Bundesliga, were eviscerated by a clinical first-half performance by Bayern Munich which saw the reigning German champions four up but the time the referee mercifully blew his whistle to signify the end of the first half. 

What's worse, the first two strikes - which essentially killed the game as a contest - were scored by former Dortumund favorites Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski. Two goals in two minutes just before half-time from Javi Martinez and Serge Gnabry widened the gap between the two teams before Polish assassin Lewandowski grabbed his second in the game's dying embers to rub further salt in Dortmund's wounds.

© Reuters / Kai Pfaffenbach

Bayern overtake their rivals to go one point clear at the top of the table with six games remaining, while they increased their goal difference over Dortmund from +5 to +15 in just 90 minutes of play.

It was the type of rout which can leave a psychological hangover on a team, with Dortumund boss Lucien Favre now faced with rallying his troops as they attempt to salvage their title aspirations in their remaining fixtures. 

And, as one might expect, the reaction by Bayern and Dortmund fans online has been somewhat varied.