BERLIN, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Bayern Munich scored four second-half goals to take all three points from Hertha Berlin at the closer of the 18th round in Bundesliga on Sunday.
The German record champions needed one hour to open the scoring but once the deadlock was broken, goals from Thomas Muller, Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara and Ivan Perisic wrapped up the 4-0 away victory.
Bayern needed some time to get into the flow and rhythm hence the visitors had to wait until the 25th minute before they created their first clearcut opportunity as Robert Lewandowski pulled wide from sharp angle.
Hertha staged a well positioned defence and focused on fast breaks but for all that it were Bayern who posed more threat in front of the goal as Philippe Coutinho and Perisic produced chances before the half time.
After the restart, Bayern increased the pressure and put the hosts on the back foot as Perisic's effort was cleared off the goal-line in the 52nd minute while Dedryck Boyata denied the Croatia international another effort on target moment later.
Bayern's pressure were rewarded at the hour mark as Perisic headed into the path of Muller who slotted home the opener with a volley from inside the box.
Hansi Flick's men continued to press forward but got a goal ruled out due to a foul play by Lewandowski.
The Poland international worked relentlessly and was first denied by Hertha goalkeeper Rune Jarstein before Lewandowski's efforts paid off as he sent Jarstein into the wrong corner to double the lead following a foul-play penalty in the 73rd minute. It was Lewandowski's 20th goal of the season.
Hertha Berlin were unable to respond as Bayern Munich tripled their advantage three minutes later after Thiago Alcantara utilized the free space he had to drill the ball into the top left corner.
The third goal took the wind out of Berlin's sails while the visitors were not done with the scoring as Muller's pinpoint cross allowed Perisic to get his name on the scoreboards as well with six minutes to the final whistle.
Berlin almost scored their consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game but Pascal Kopke's two quick-succession chances got defused by custodian Manuel Neuer and the right post.
With the result, Bayern Munich move up to the 2nd place meanwhile Hertha Berlin slipped to the 14th position in the Bundesliga standings.
Elsewhere, Kevin Volland's brace helped Bayer Leverkusen to cruise 4-1 past bottom side Paderborn. The "Werkself" stay in the top six whereas last placed Paderborn suffered their 12th defeat of the season.
