Philippe Coutinho hits hat-trick in Bayern Munich rout as Leipzig go top

Philippe Coutinho scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich signalled ir return to form with a 6-1 thrashing of Werder Bremen in Bundesliga, while RB Leipzig took over first place.

Barcelona loanee was everywhere for Munich at Allianz Arena, chalking up two assists in addition to his three goals, but Bayern remain six points adrift of Leipzig.

Julian Nlsmann's ambitious side replaced Borussia Moenchengladbach at top following a comfortable 3-0 victory at Fortuna Duesseldorf.

Bayern had lost ir previous two games in Bundesliga and appeared to be in for ar long afteron when champions fell behind to Bremen midfielder Milot Rashica's goal in 24th minute.

Two goals in three minutes at end of first half however turned game on its head, with Coutinho and Robert Lewandowski both scoring to fire Bayern into a 2-1 lead.

Bayern ran riot after break, adding four more goals - including two more for Coutinho, one more for Lewandowski and a goal for Thomas Mueller. Coutinho's second, a brilliant chip over keeper Jiri Pavlenka, came right out of Brazilian trickster's top drawer.

Bayern coach Hansi Flick praised Coutinho's performance as "just great".

"It was great fun for everyone to see how he performed. What made me particularly happy was way that team really celebrated his efforts - it was from heart.

"We're all incredibly pleased with effort he put in today."

Coutinho's form has been questioned since he arrived from Barcelona in summer, however, he was given a standing ovation by Bayern crowd when subbed off in 82nd minute.

Bayern defender David Alaba said after game that his side didn't panic when y went behind, kwing y had quality to reel in visitors.

"You saw character that our team has - we completely turned match in moments before half-time," he said.

Leipzig recorded ir sixth straight win against Fortuna to move two points clear of Gladbach.

visitors opened scoring after just two minutes, with Patrik Schick volleying in a cross from Konrad Laimer.

Timo Werner n scored a penalty in 58th minute to bring up his 16th goal of season, before defender rdi Mukiele put game beyond doubt in 75th minute with Leipzig's third.

Nlsmann said his side's focus was t directed at securing top spot, but rar at how things can be improved ahead of Tuesday's clash with Borussia Dortmund.

"We missed a few chances in first half. We controlled game really well in second," he said.

"se are three very important points. We were able to hold something back at end with Tuesday's big game in mind." Dortmund continued ir superb recent form, winning 4-0 away at Mainz to keep hold of third place.

Marco Reus scored his first away goal of season with a stunning volley from edge of box, before Jadon Sancho, Thorgan Hazard and Nico Schulz all scored in second half.

Sancho has w scored in six games in a row for Dortmund, while Schulz's goal was his first in Dortmund colours.

In Berlin, Hertha registered ir first victory under former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, winning 1-0 over a disappointing Freiburg courtesy of a Vladimir Darida goal in 53rd minute.

Struggling Cologne picked up a vital three points at home against nine-man Bayer Leverkusen to take m off bottom of table. Leverkusen lost Aleksandar Dragovic and Leon Bailey to red cards in a 15-minute period in second half and were unable to hold on as Cologne won 2-0.

Union Berlin's recent run of victories came to an end following a 1-1 draw against lowly Paderborn. Union, who had won four of ir last five, started well, scoring through Marcus Ingvartsen in seventh minute, before Paderborn equalised via Kai Proger.

Gladbach have a chance to return top away to Wolfsburg on Sunday, while Schalke host Eintracht Frankfurt.