Bayern Munich stormed back to the top of the Bundesliga with a 5-0 rout of title rivals Borussia Dortmund.
The 100th league edition of ‘Der Klassiker’ was over by half-time as Mats Hummels, Robert Lewandowski, Javi Martinez and Serge Gnabry had the hosts 4-0 up at half-time.
Lewandowski then added a fifth in the final minute as Bayern sent out a message about their determination to reclaim the title.
The result puts Bayern, who were nine points adrift in December, top of the table by one point with six games remaining.
Relive all the action below.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund.
There are just two points separating the sides at the top of the table as they head into one of the most hotly anticipated Der Klassiker derbies in memory.
The teams are out!
If Dortmund can crack Bayern's fortress and take a five-point lead in the Bundesliga with six points remaining, it could be curtains in the title race.
“Second place is the first loser,” Bayern boss Niko Kovac declared defiantly. “We want to win.”
Dortmund manager Lucien Favre, though, has approached today's game with a more measured approach.
If we win, nothing is decided, if we draw, nothing is decided, if we lose nothing is decided. It’s completely open!
The biggest surprise by way of the starting line-ups comes in the absence of Mario Gotze, who has been relegated to the bench for the biggest game of the season. Lukas Piszczek, though, has rushed his return from injury and makes the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Javi Martinez returns for Bayern to reinforce the midfield in place of Leon Goretzka, while Serge Gnabry starts ahead of James Rodriguez.
The Independent Sports Editor, Ed Malyon, is at the Allianz Arena. Just five minutes until kick-off now.
KICK-OFF: We're underway!
4 min: It's a nervy opening for Borussia Dortmund, who haven't quite settled into a raucous atmosphere at the Allianz Arena.
First it was an early corner where Mats Hummels' glancing header just escaped the far post. Seconds later and Robert Lewandowski is screaming for a penalty after being barged over in the box by Diallo after some sloppy passing by Dortmund. Nothing given.
6 min: But then Dortmund come to life! It's Marco Reus who wriggles to the byline on the left-hand side, cuts the ball back to the on-charging Dahoud, who is in acres of space, but the midfielder's shot pings off the outside of the post with the goal gaping.
GOAAAAL! Bayern 1-0 Dortmund (Hummels, 10')
It's an exact replica of Bayern's opening tactic and this time Mats Hummels meets the header perfectly. Rather than glancing towards the far corner, he powers it past the hands of Roman Burki and the champions have the lead.
15 min: That goal has forced Dortmund to come out their shells. Before, they were set up to coil and counter, but now they have no option but to chase the game.
It's Bayern, though, who look the more likely to add to their early tally. Thiago tests Burki with a long-range free-kick and Lucien Favre's side are on the ropes.
GOAAAAL! Bayern 2-0 Dortmund (Lewandowski, 17')
That's the Pole's 200th Bundesliga goal.
18 min: And there it is! It's a terrible error by defender Dan-Axel Zagadou. The 19-year-old idles a pass towards his defensive partner Akanji but Lewandowski intercepts and flicks the bobbling ball over Burki and Bayern are in cruise control.
24 min: Finally, after being caught cold by an early one-two, Dortmund are showing at least dizzy glimmers of life. Piszczek attempts a long-range shot that at least forces Neuer into action.
28 min: Dortmund forge an opening and have men forward, but after receiving the ball on the corner of the Bayern box, Jadon Sancho rushes the pass and it floats innocuously into the arms of Neuer.
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