Bayern Munich recorded their first victory on the road of this seasons campaign with a 2-0 win against Köln, who showed they are no pushovers in their return to the top flight.
Mario Götze's fourth goal of the season helped Bayern Munich on their way to three points in Köln before Daniel Halfar added misery for the home fans after bungling the ball over the line, scoring an own goal.
Coming in to the match, Bayern looked to continue their good form in the Rhine area, after seven of their last 10 trips to Köln have resulted in a victory. The Bundesliga champions were also in search of their first victory on the road this campaign.
Peter Stöger's men had conceded just once so far in their top-flight campaign before they welcomed champions Bayern Munich to the RheinEnergie Stadion. There were four changes from the home side that lost to Hannover in the midweek fixture. Anthony Ujah returned to the starting lineup in place of Yuya Osako. Whilst Pawel Olkowski, Yannick Gerhardt, Adam Matuszczyk replaced Simon Peszko, Marcel Risse and Kevin Vogt.
Following their 4-0 victory over newly-promoted SC Paderborn 07, Pep Guardiola made just two changes to the team. Summer signing Sebastian Rode dropped to the bench in place of Brazilian Rafinha whilst Juan Bernat started ahead of Dante.
The opening seven minutes saw chances from both sides with Olkowski coming close for Köln after just two minutes, however, the Polish international dragged his shot wide of the target. At the other end of the pitch, Arjen Robben had a penalty appeal turned down after the referee came to the conclusion the 30-year old had kicked the grass.
Thomas Müller was then through on goal but the World Cup winner's shot flew just wide of Timo Horn's net, after been put under pressure from Dominic Maroh. The German international and Mišo Brečko then had to be pulled away from each other as the squared up.
Götze then put Bayern a goal up after 20 minutes when the former-Dortmund player taps the ball in at the far post having wandered in to the box unmarked.
Bayern were then on top and just minutes later Robert Lewandowski saw his effort go unsuccessful before a long-range effort from captain Philipp Lahm sailed wide of the mark. It was the man again, Müller, who came closest to beating Horn again when his shot from just inside the box was magnificently saved.
The Billy Goats were on top as the teams went in to half-time. Matuszczyk and Ujah both came agonisingly close for Köln, however both efforts were saved by Manuel Neuer. Jonas Hector long-range strike on the whistle went just wide, hitting the side netting.
Köln were straight out of the blocks in the second-half. Matuszczyk fired his shot straight an Neuer just 30 seconds in to the restart as Stöger's men looked to score their first goal of the season at the RheinEnergie Stadion.
Guardiola was the first manager to crack, bringing on two defensive substitutions after just ten minutes of the second half, on came Dante and Medhi Benatia in replace of Jerome Boateng and Müller.
After 66 minutes, Halfar unfortunately doubled Bayern's lead after knocking the ball in to his own net after been put under pressure for Austrian David Alaba.
That looked to be the killer goal for Köln who looked lost for ideas in the closing stages of the game, after their first goal at home this season still eludes them.
Xabi Alonso came close to scoring for Bayern, but his effort was saved by the ever-present Horn before Götze came close to adding to his earlier goal, then finding Bernat who sliced his effort wide of the mark.
The result now leaves the home side 12th in the Bundesliga table with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend whilst Bayern Munich sit two points clear at the top, welcoming Hannover 96 to the Allianz Arena next weekend.