STUNG by recent criticism, Bayern Munich delivered a clear statement of intent Saturday after reclaiming the top spot in the Bundesliga with a 5-0 thrashing of former leader Borussia Dortmund.

Bayern leads Dortmund by one point with six rounds remaining.

“I’ve no explanation for it,” Dortmund captain Marco Reus said.

Two former Dortmund players, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski, set Bayern back on track toward a record-extending seventh straight title — a remarkable turnaround considering the side was nine points behind Dortmund earlier in the season.

After temporarily losing the lead in a 1-1 league draw at Freiburg last weekend, before a close shave to second-division Heidenheim in the German Cup on Wednesday, Bayern’s pride was hurt.

“I’m particularly pleased because many people really criticized the team harshly,” Bayern coach Niko Kovac said.

The home side seized the initiative from the start, forcing a corner in the first minute and appealing for a penalty early on when Lewandowski went down under pressure from Abdou Diallo. Referee Manuel Graefe waved play on.

Mahmoud Dahoud struck the outside of the post with Dortmund’s first chance on a counterattack in the sixth minute. He should have scored — and it was the only chance.

Hummels opened the scoring with a header to a corner in the 10th minute for the former Dortmund captain’s first league goal of the season.

(SD-Agencies)