'Killer' Kane ends drought to send Bayern back top

The victory came after a three-game winless run in all competitions. Earlier on Saturday, RB Leipzig's 2-0 win at Mainz sent them provisional top, before Bayern took over the Bundesliga summit on goal difference.  Kane had not scored in four games for club and country, his longest drought since moving to Germany. The hat-trick was Kane's sixth for Bayern in the league as he brought up 57 goals in all competitions for the club.

Stuttgart, who surprisingly finished one spot ahead of Bayern in second place last season, held the hosts at bay but the dam eventually broke in the 57th minute, when Kane's long-range effort dribbled past goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel. Kane added a second just three minutes later, clipping the ball through a crowded penalty box and past Nuebel to double Bayern's lead.

"It was nice with that first goal, and the two afterwards showed what a killer he is," Eberl said of Kane. The England captain told Sky Germany: "There's always talk when you don't score for a while as a striker. "I always believed in myself, my abilities and my teammates -- that was clear today." The 31-year-old took the match ball home for chalking up another hat-trick, and joked that his teammates "were probably a bit sick of signing them". "The last few results we've had, we've played really well but haven't found a way to win the games. From there the game opened up and we took them to a level they couldn't sustain."

France forward Kingsley Coman scored in the final minute to complete the win. Bayern were dealt a blow however, with midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic picking up a shoulder injury. Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said "it looks like he's broken his collarbone", while Kompany told reporters "it doesn't look good".

Bayern travel to Barcelona in the Champions League midweek, where they will come face to face with former coach Hansi Flick, who now manages the Catalans. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said: "We can celebrate a bit, but then it keeps going against Barcelona."

 

October 19, 2024