Robert Lewandowski Powers Bayern Munich to Dominant Win vs. Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich eased to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Signal-Iduna Park on Saturday, thanks to goals from Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski and David Alaba.

Robben curled home the opener from inside the box after just 16 minutes, and Lewandowski's flicked effort off Joshua Kimmich's cross then went in via a deflection off Julian Weigl just before half-time.

David Alaba added a third in the second half before Marc Bartra grabbed a consolation late on, but it was a comprehensive win for Bayern that leaves Dortmund without a Bundesliga win since September.

Both teams shared their lineups for the game via their official Twitter accounts:

The first half was a fast, open affair with plenty of chances. Marcel Schmelzer was the first man in the book after just nine minutes for a foul on Kimmich as challenges went flying in.

The first real chance of the half fell to the hosts' Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the forward was denied by Niklas Sule getting across on the slide to block his shot.

Minutes later, Bayern were ahead through Robben. Thiago Alcantara crossed for James Rodriguez, who teed up the Dutchman in the box to curl home.

Bayern noted it was a landmark goal for the 33-year-old:

The chances continued to come, with Andriy Yarmolenko sent clean through on goal, but he took too long and saw his tame shot easily blocked by goalkeeper Sven Ulreich.

The action then switched straight to the other end, where Lewandowski's fierce shot was tipped over the bar by Roman Burki.

Bayern were looking the more dangerous team, however, and doubled their lead before half-time. This time the threat came down the left from Kimmich, whose low cross was backheeled past Burki by Lewandowski's deflected effort.

ESPN FC's Stefan Buczko neatly summarised the differences between the two sides at the break:

The second half started off in frantic style, with Burki denying Lewandowski with a brilliant reflex save before Yarmolenko saw a shot blocked.

Bayern eventually put the result beyond doubt just after the hour mark, though, when Alaba sent in a cross for Lewandowski at the near post.

The striker may have got a faint touch on the ball as it flew past the diving Burki, but Alaba was awarded the goal:

There was time for Dortmund to grab one goal back with just minutes of normal time remaining.

Christian Pulisic skilfully wriggled out of the corner, and the ball was eventually worked to Bartra, who curled home a sweet finish from inside the box.

Dortmund almost reduced the lead further, but Gonzalo Castro missed a chance at the far post to ensure Bayern's dominant performance deservedly earned all three points.