Javier Hernandez scored a hat-trick and Stefan Kiessling netted two goals as Bayer Leverkusen became the first team to beat Andre Schubert's Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga.
Kiessling got the scoring started in the 5-0 win and added two assists for Hernandez in what became a rout in the second half.
Gladbach, who were on a 10-game unbeaten streak in the league since Schubert took charge, simply had no answer as they fell to a heavy defeat for the second time in four days, after seeing their European campaign ended by Manchester City in midweek.
For Leverkusen, however, it was a much-needed win which lifted them into the top six, at least for a night, with a morale-boosting performance, particularly for their forwards.
With Hernandez taking most of the headlines for Leverkusen since arriving from Manchester United, Kiessling has been forced into something of a backseat role this season, with suggestions he may leave the club as early as January.
Although he has still been getting his minutes, mainly from the bench, he has not been scoring with the regularity which has made him one of the most prolific Bundesliga goalscorers in circulation.
To think his confidence might have been dented was dismissed on Saturday, though, as he showed he is anything but past his best.
The former Germany international was at the heart of all of Leverkusen's moves, fighting for the ball and doing more with it than he has for much of the season, including putting the Werkself in front after half an hour.
Roberto Hilbert delivered the chance for him, but he still had to be quick to meet the cross with his head before Tony Jantschke and guide it in from close range.
Jantschke was caught out then and he was caught out again five minutes before half-time when he gave away a free-kick which Hakan Calhanoglu curled onto the outside of the post.
Kiessling was the source of a good attack early in the second half as he gained possession before feeding Calhanoglu. He in turn picked out Karim Bellarabi, but he missed the target with his shot.
Raffael nearly levelled with Gladbach's first big chance of the game, but his free-kick came out to safety off the left-hand post before the Kiessling show continued.
The 31-year-old backheeled the ball to Hernandez, who dribbled his way into a shooting position and beat Yann Sommer to make it two for Leverkusen.
Kiessling then exemplified his new-found confidence by meeting Calhanoglu's corner with a powerful header to make it three midway through the second half.
Gladbach's heads dropped and Hernandez took full advantage, completing his hat-trick with two goals in as many minutes.
Kiessling was provider of his first, sending him through to beat Sommer with an angled shot, and Bellarabi presented him with Leverkusen's fifth and Hernandez's 10th goal of the season.