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Bayern Munich down FC Köln, cruise to 11-point Bundesliga lead

FC Bayern Muenchen v SC Freiburg - Bundesliga

MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 16: Thomas Mueller (R) of Muenchen and his teammates celebrate their team’s second goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and SC Freiburg at Allianz Arena on December 16, 2014 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Bongarts/Getty Images

German Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich preserved their fine form after Pep Guardiola’s side handily defeated reigning division-two champion FC Köln, 3-1.

With the victory, Bayern have stretched their lead at the top of the league table to 11 points.

Bastian Schweinsteiger got the Reds off to a blistering start when he executed a textbook header from a corner that resulted in a third-minute goal.

Franck Ribery then doubled the score seven minutes later; he cut across the edge of the box and directed his attention to the near post. The Frenchman beautifully placed his steady roller between several Köln defenders.

[RELATED: Last week’s Bundesliga wrap]

Despite falling behind early, the Billy Goats would show enough resilience to halve the scoreline with a goal of their own--a header by Nigerian forward Anthony Ujah right before halftime.

But as many have noticed from FCB in prior contests, their attack was far from stagnating. Arjen Robben rose and smacked a powerful header to make the score 3-1, while Robert Lewandowksi chested a cross into the back of the net to put victory for Köln essentially out of reach.

Final score:

Bayern were in complete control for long stretches, so it’s no surprise Guardiola watched his team handled enormous 78 percent of possession.

Gathering one of Köln’s few viable scoring chances, Ujah stuck out, but other than that, the attention of this one trained on the veteran duo of Ribery and Robben--both aging but very dynamic, especially in this fixture. Quality midfield performances from these men handed the Bavarians the clear-cut advantage.