MUNICH: Bayern Munich eased past Werder Bremen 3-0 on Friday with two goals from Harry Kane for their seventh league win in a row, to move nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

The Bavarians, who face Celtic in their Champions League playoff first leg next week for a spot in the round of 16, had their best chance of the first half through Kane but his stoppage time header narrowly missed the target.

The league’s leading scorer got even closer 25 seconds after the restart, rattling the crossbar with a powerful shot but it was third time lucky for him in the 56th minute when he converted a penalty.

The England captain has 21 goals in 19 league games for Bayern this season, including nine penalties.

“I had a couple of other chances which could’ve gone my way, if I was a bit more ruthless, but there’s still room for improvement, with the left foot especially,” Kane told reporters.

Dayot Upamecano thought he had headed in their second goal minutes later but Werder keeper Michael Zetterer spectacularly palmed his point-blank effort wide.

Leroy Sane did it better in the 83rd, tapping in a Konrad Laimer cutback to put the game to bed before Zetterer stopped efforts from Kane and Laimer late in the game to keep the scoreline low.

He was beaten, however, for a second time from the spot with Kane’s stoppage-time penalty for his 21st league goal.

Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen have a game in hand and can cut Bayern’s lead back to six points with a win.

Bayern play away at Leverkusen next week in a match bookended by a two-legged Champions League knockout tie against Celtic.

“Two big away games next week it’s going to be tough,” Kane said. “But for us it’s about competing against ourselves, pushing our level, and seeing how far we can take it.”

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2025