Dazzling Dortmund crush Cologne 6-1 to confirm their title ambitions

DORTMUND, Germany: Borussia Dortmund climbed to the top of the Bundesliga standings after demolishing visitors Cologne 6-1 on Saturday (Mar 18), with Sebastien Haller and captain Marco Reus both scoring twice.

The Ruhr valley club, who last won the Bundesliga title under then coach Juergen 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 who are in action on Sunday against Bayer Leverkusen. RB Leipzig are third on 45 following their shock 1-0 loss to struggling VfL Bochum.

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.