BERLIN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick and Maximilian Philipp struck twice as Borussia Dortmund demolished Borussia Moench­engladbach 6-1 on Saturday to stay top of the Bundesliga with their fifth win in six matches.

The Gabon international took his league tally to eight goals from six matches as Dortmund enjoyed a flawless dress rehearsal for next week’s Champions League group match against Real Madrid.

The Ruhr valley club now have the best goal difference after six matches in Bundesliga history with 19 goals scored and one conceded and have quickly established themselves as credible title contenders.

Gladbach had no answer to Peter Bosz’s fleet-footed Dortmund, who opened a two-point lead over Hoffenheim at the top.

“The players are fresh and we’re playing good football. Real are another level,” Dortmund coach Bosz said when asked if his side could repeat the performance against Real.

Dortmund gave Gladbach no chance with their high-tempo game and hit the woodwork twice before the talented Philipp grabbed two goals in 10 minutes.

Last season’s Bundesliga top scorer Aubameyang then struck either side of the break for his own double and made it three goals with a superb solo run in the 62nd minute.

The hosts conceded their first goal of the season four minutes later but Dortmund’s Julian Weigl capped his first start since a four-month injury break with his first ever Bundesliga goal, a sensational 20-metre strike in the 79th.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2017