Level on points in first and second before the weekend, the gulf in class between the two teams became apparent as Bayern put their hosts to the sword with a brutal and brilliant first-half performance.
The 31-time German champions smashed in four goals in the space of eight minutes before the break to humiliate a young Leverkusen side.
"It sounds a bit strange when you've scored five goals, but we could have had six or seven in the first half today," Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann told broadcaster DAZN.
"It was clear after 45 minutes that the three points were coming to Munich," said Lewandowski, who kick-started the rout with the opening two goals. We knew that we would have to play our football from the beginning today, and the result shows how well we played."
"Bayern showed us today why they are the best team in Germany and one of the best in Europe," said Leverkusen coach Gerardo Seoane.
The win means they leapfrog Borussia Dortmund to go a point clear at the top of the table.
October 17, 2021