Hoffenheim kept up the pressure on the Bundesliga leaders with a thumping win away to struggling Cologne.

The visitors came flying out of the blocks and goals from Carlos Eduardo and Chinedu Obasi put them two up after just 11 minutes.

Demba Ba effectively settled the contest with a third after 46 minutes and Vedad Ibisevic completed the rout with a 90th-minute penalty.

Hoffenheim have now won three of their last four games to lie fourth on 23 points, although Hamburg could overtake them tomorrow.

Cologne's troubles show no sign of easing, though, and they have now scored just two goals in their last six games and lie 15th.

There was a minute's silence before the game in memory of goalkeeper Robert Enke.

When the match started, Hoffenheim wasted little time in making their mark.

Carlos Eduardo gave the visitors the lead after just five minutes, collecting a pass from Ba in plenty of space before unleashing a low shot inside the far right post from 28 yards.

Hoffenheim doubled their advantage just six minutes later as Obasi headed home Christian Eichner's cross from the left from six yards.

Carlos Eduardo twice missed chances and Cologne's Fabrice Ehret cleared the ball off his own line as Hoffenheim continued to look dangerous.

Cologne had a chance to get back into the match seven minutes before the break but Hoffenheim keeper Timo Hildebrand cleared the ball from just in front of Milivoje Novakovic.

And instead Ba killed off the hosts in the first minute of the second half, running onto Sejad Salihovic's throughball and scoring from 15 yards.

Hoffenheim nearly made it 4-0 in the 54th minute but Luiz Gustavo's shot came back off a post.

Colognedid not even threaten a consolation and Hoffenheim added a fourth through Ibisevic's penalty in the 90th minute after the striker had been brought down by Geromel.