Bayern Munich's German midfielder Serge Gnabry (R) and Cologne's German defender Ismail Jakobs vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Cologne v FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, western Germany on Feb 16, 2020. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

BERLIN - Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-1 victory over newly-promoted Cologne after scoring three goals in the early stages at the closing of the 22nd round in Bundesliga on Sunday.

German international Serge Gnabry was on target in each half, helping the defending champions to record the 14th win of the season and to move to the top spot.

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The Bavarians grabbed a fairy-tale start on the road as Robert Lewandowski capitalized on Thomas Muller's build-up work to break the deadlock with just three minutes played.

Bayern needed only another two minutes to double their advantage as Kingsley Coman tapped home inside the box following a combination via Lewandowski and Muller

Bayern needed only another two minutes to double their advantage as Kingsley Coman tapped home inside the box following a combination via Lewandowski and Muller.

Things went from bad to worse as Cologne was unable to put up resistance whereas Bayern gained momentum and trebled the lead in the 12th minute when Joshua Kimmich's corner kick allowed Gnabry slot home from the edge of the box.

The visitors remained on the front foot and kept Cologne's defense busy but for all that Kimmich and Thiago Alcantara lacked accuracy in front of the target before the break.

Cologne sparked to life after the restart as Markus Gisdol's men assumed control and thought they had reduced the arrears but Jhon Cordoba's goal was ruled offside by the video assistant referee.Cordoba remained in the thick of things as found the back of the net again in the 55th minute but again the offside flag rescued a passive Bayern.

However, just when Cologne got into the flow Bayern killed the game with a goal against the run of the game as Gnabry had all time and space to finish off a solo run with a well-placed curl into the far post corner in the 66th minute.

Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski and Cologne's Belgian defender Sebastiaan Bornauw vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Cologne v FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, western Germany on Feb 16, 2020. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

Cologne responded well and scored their consolation four minutes later through Mark Uth, who tapped home Florian Kainz square pass at the far post.

The hosts kept it bowling and made Bayern sweat as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had to defuse promising opportunities from Cordoba and Anthony Modeste in the closing stages.

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With the win, Bayern Munich recaptured the first place in the standings meanwhile Cologne slipped to the 14th position.

Elsewhere, Schalke and Mainz played out a goalless stalemate. It is the first draw of the season for Mainz. With the result, the "Royal Blues" stay on the 6th position while Mainz continues on the 15th place, five points away from the bottom three.