BOCHUM, Aug 22 — Champions Bayern Munich demolished hosts VfL Bochum 7-0 on Sunday, with new signing Sadio Mane scoring twice, to maintain their perfect start to the season.

The Bavarians are two points clear at the top with nine points from three league games, and have now scored a league-record 15 goals in their three games even though top striker Robert Lewandowski left this season to join Barcelona.

On Sunday they went on a first-half rampage, scoring four times in 38 minutes to kill off the game.

"We wanted to make sure in the opening 30 minutes the opponent knew it would be a tough match,” Bayern Coach Julian Nagelsmann told a news conference. "We are not setting ourselves any limit and are trying to deliver performances such as these as well.” "The energy currently in the team was not always there in such a way last season. That’s something very comfortable to know. In the second half we still tried to win the game and solidify our plays.” "It’s early in the season. We have played dominant matches so far, but there are always things to improve. Every player played really well. It won’t be easy picking a team for next weekend,” said Nagelsmann.

The visitors took a fourth-minute lead through Leroy Sane with their first attack of the game, and new signing Matthijs de Ligt got onto the scoresheet with his first ever effort on goal for Bayern, heading in a corner at the far post in the 25th.

Kingsley Coman’s shot from close range after Bochum failed to clear just past the half-hour mark made it 3-0 and all but put the game beyond doubt, before Mane completed the first-half frenzy with his second goal of the season - a low shot from a tight angle in the 42nd.

Bayern eased off the gas after the break, but the Senegal international added another with a penalty on the hour.

Cristian Gamboa, under pressure from Sane, scored an own goal, piling further misery on the hosts who then saw substitute Serge Gnabry make it look so easy when he thundered in a low shot off the post to make it 7-0.

Title rivals Borussia Dortmund conceded three goals in the last few minutes against Werder Bremen on Saturday as they suffered a shock 3-2 loss that left them on six points.

Borussia Moenchengladbach are in second place on seven, along with Union Berlin and Mainz 05. — Reuters