Diaz hat-trick powers Bayern to dominant win over Hoffenheim and six-point lead
Luis Diaz netted a hat-trick to inspire Bayern Munich to a 5-1 demolition of 10-man Hoffenheim on Sunday, securing their six-point cushion at the Bundesliga summit once again.
Borussia Dortmunds tense victory against Wolfsburg the previous day had narrowed the gap to three points, yet Diaz, who shone brightly throughout, proved decisive as Bayern mounted a convincing comeback.
Harry Kane slotted away two penalties for Bayern, both created by Diaz, lifting his Bundesliga tally to 24 goals this term and 38 across all tournaments.
Hoffenheim, who fought off relegation last season, arrived in Munich as the leagues hottest side, boasting 11 triumphs and only a single defeat in their previous 14 fixtures.
The away teams prospects suffered a blow early on when Kevin Akpoguma was deemed to have tripped Diaz inside the penalty area and received a straight red card in a controversial call.
Kane dispatched the ensuing penalty, though Manuel Neuer soon gifted Hoffenheim a lifeline by passing straight to Fisnik Asllani, who assisted Andrej Kramaric for an easy finish.
Bayern, having surrendered five points in their last two Bundesliga outings, appeared lethargic apart from the lively Diaz, who drew a second penalty just before the interval.
Kane buried it confidently, then swiftly returned the favour to the Colombian with a precise through-ball on the break, allowing the ex-Liverpool forward to finish neatly in added time of the first half.
Diaz added a fourth for Bayern by converting a Michael Olise through-ball around the hour mark, before sealing his treble with a long-range strike in the dying moments.
This marked Diazs inaugural Bayern hat-trick, bringing his Bundesliga goals to 13 in his debut campaign, complemented by nine assists.
Bayern have now found the net 79 times in 21 Bundesliga matches this season.
Baumgartner double drives Leipzig to victory
On Sunday afternoon, strikes either side of the break from Christoph Baumgartner guided RB Leipzig to a 2-1 success at Cologne, elevating them to fourth position.
"The race for the top spots is razor-sharp, we simply cannot slip up," reflected Baumgartner on the battle for Champions League places.
Stuttgarts setback against St Pauli the day before, their initial loss since early December, opened the gateway to the top four, and Leipzig capitalised with their second win in five recent games.
Austrian playmaker Baumgartner has become Leipzigs key attacking force following Xavi Simons transfer to Tottenham in August, amassing eight goals and seven assists in 20 league appearances this year.
This result sets Leipzig up nicely for their German Cup quarter-final clash at Bayern on Wednesday.
Cologne headed into the match risking another season outside Champions League contention, with a mere seven points garnered from their preceding seven league dates.
Youngster Brajan Gruda earned a start mere days after joining on a half-season loan from Premier League outfit Brighton.
Colognes promising teenage talent Said El Mala threatened twice early in proceedings, but Baumgartner broke the deadlock after 29 minutes by nodding in a curling free-kick from David Raum.
Shortly after halftime, Colognes Jan Thielmann, despite losing his footing, conjured a stunning effort into the top corner to restore parity.
Leipzig responded swiftly though, as Baumgartner latched onto a short pass from fellow Austrian Xaver Schlager, swivelled, and rifled into the net.