MUNICH: Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane hit back at criticism levelled at him, saying he would do his “talking on the pitch” after becoming the fastest to 50 goals in Bundesliga history on Friday.

Kane scored a second-half hat-trick in a 3-0 home win over Augsburg which sent Bayern Munich eight points clear on Friday, bringing up his Bundesliga half-century in 43 games.

The England captain beat the previous record set by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in 2021, then at Borussia Dortmund, who reached his half century in 50 games.

Kane’s hat-trick was his seventh in the league since arriving in the summer of 2023.

Two of Kane’s three goals on Friday came from the spot and he has now scored 25 consecutive penalties for club and country in all competitions since missing against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals.

The milestone comes after the 31-year-old was criticised during the international break, with some saying he should step aside for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

Kane, who was also criticised for some lethargic performances at Euro 2024, told reporters he was “used to that now”, adding he was “experienced enough to know that comes with being one of the top players, one of the top strikers.”

Saying he felt “in the best form of his career”, Kane said “all I can do is do my talking on the pitch, like I did tonight.”

Bayern, who take on Paris St Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, are undefeated in the Bundesliga and on 29 points following their fifth consecutive league game without conceding a goal.

But they have struggled in the Champions League format, sitting 17th after four games — six behind leaders Liverpool.

Tuesday’s home match with PSG, who are even further down the Champions League table, could be crucial for the German side in their top-eight bid to avoid the extra playoff round.

Kane backed his team to get through a tough phase, which includes a trip to Borussia Dortmund and a home German Cup clash with holders Bayer Leverkusen.

“Big week ahead of us but the team is feeling good, we just have to keep going with this momentum,” added Kane.

Bayern were dominant throughout but kept at bay by some dogged defending from their Bavarian neighbours.

With 61 minutes gone, the ball connected with Augsburg’s Mads Pedersen’s outstretched arm in the box, bringing Kane to the spot after a VAR review. The England captain cooly converted to give Bayern the lead.

In stoppage time, Kane went down in the box after contact from Keven Schlotterbeck and Bayern were again awarded a penalty after a VAR review, which the 31-year-old converted. Schlotterbeck was sent from the field after picking up a second yellow for his challenge.

Kane then added a third, this time controlling a cross and heading in, his seventh hat-trick since joining Bayern.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2024