Bayern beats Cologne to set another league record
Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich battled past host Cologne 3-1 to record the best first half of a season in the league's history and maintain its 11-point lead at the top of the standings.
Bayern came from a goal down to earn its sixth league win in the past seven matches, and moved up to 47 points with a goal difference of plus-53.
The previous best mark after 17 matches belonged to Pep Guardiola's Bayern from the 2013-2014 season, also with 47 points but a goal difference of plus-35.
The Bavarian side, which will host Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Champions League next week, has clear water between itself and Borussia Dortmund in second place on 36 points.
Cologne did not look at all intimidated by Bayern's 8-1 demolition of Wolfsburg earlier this week, and took a fully deserved 41st-minute lead with Linton Maina's spectacular 60-metre solo run and superb finish to beat keeper Manuel Neuer.
The visitors managed to level before the break when Serge Gnabry flicked the ball into the net off the crossbar from the tightest of angles in first-half stoppage-time.
Jakub Kaminski had the hosts' best chance to score again with a low 58th-minute drive, but Neuer did well to push the ball wide in a crowded box.
The hosts managed to keep Bayern away from their box for much of the second half but could do nothing when Hiroki Ito headed on a deep cross and Kim Min-jae nodded in for a 2-1 lead.
Teenager Lennart Karl, who came on as a second half substitute, made sure of the three points in the 84th minute when he slotted in from a Luis Diaz assist after a superb pass from Harry Kane for his fourth league goal of the season.
"I did congratulate the lads but that will be gone by tomorrow and of absolutely no priority for me that we now have this record," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said.
"We are in the middle of the season and have not won any title yet.
"From tomorrow we start the second half and everything starts from zero."
