Harry Kane scores as Bayern Munich come from behind to thrash RB Leipzig 5-1, extending their unbeaten Bundesliga run and restoring an 11-point lead
HARRY Kane scored his 21st league goal of the season as Bayern Munich produced a stunning second-half comeback to thrash RB Leipzig 5-1.
The victory restores Bayern’s 11-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga over second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
Unbeaten Bayern have dropped just four points on their way to a record-equalling tally of 50 after 18 games.
Their total of 71 goals scored is also a record at this stage of a Bundesliga season.
Leipzig took a first-half lead through Romulo, but Bayern kicked into gear after the break.
Serge Gnabry, Kane, Jonathan Tah, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Michael Olise all scored in the second half.
Leipzig were strong early and broke through after 20 minutes when Romulo poked in an Antonio Nusa pass from close range.
The hosts were undone in the simplest fashion just after half-time.
Dayot Upamecano picked Christoph Baumgartner’s pocket and fed Gnabry, who guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Bayern took the lead after 67 minutes, once again thanks to a Leipzig mistake.
Olise’s floated cross did not appear dangerous until Ridle Baku lost his footing, allowing an unmarked Kane time and space to blast home.
With Leipzig’s resistance broken, Tah, Pavlovic and Olise all scored in the final 10 minutes.
Jamal Musiala returned late off the bench after a six-month injury absence.
Earlier, an Emre Can penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time saved Borussia Dortmund in a 3-2 home win against lowly St Pauli.
Dortmund were cruising when Julian Brandt and Karim Adeyemi scored either side of half-time.
St Pauli hit back with goals by James Sands and Ricky-Jade Jones inside the space of 10 minutes.
In the dying moments, VAR found a foul on Germany forward Maximilian Beier, bringing Dortmund captain Can to the spot.
“What a rollercoaster ride,” Can told Sky Germany, but added: “We need to do much better to settle things down and to convert our chances.”
Elsewhere, Hoffenheim’s Wouter Burger scored the only goal in a 1-0 home win over flailing Bayer Leverkusen.
The victory saw Hoffenheim climb past Leipzig into third in the table.
“That was an important one,” Burger said of his free-kick. “I was practising them a bit this morning.”
Relegation candidates last season, Hoffenheim are on track to qualify for Europe’s top competition for just the second time in their history.
Leverkusen have now lost four of their past six, falling three points behind the Champions League placings.
Cologne beat Mainz 2-1 at home, while Wolfsburg played out a 1-1 home draw with Heidenheim.
Hosts Hamburg were held to a scoreless draw by Borussia Moenchengladbach.
