Harry Kane scored two goals in the second-half to earn Bayern Munich a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig on Saturday, ending the side’s worst run since 2015.
Bayern had lost three matches in a row for the first time in nine years with the club announcing this week coach Thomas Tuchel would leave in the summer. Kane broke the deadlock midway through the first half but Leipzig hit back with 20 remaining, Benjamin Sesko equalising for the visitors.
With Bayern looking to concede further ground to Leverkusen in the title race, Kane stepped up and scored in the first minute of injury time, his 27th league goal of the season. The win keeps Bayern eight points behind Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, with 11 games remaining this season. Kane had a golden chance to release the pressure on the home side just five minutes in but his point-blank header was pushed onto the post by Janis Blaswich.
The England captain went close once more just before half-time but his artistic bicycle kick was directed straight at Blaswich. Kane finally broke through after 56 minutes, slamming a low shot into the Leipzig goal, his 26th strike in 23 games. Leipzig were bullish and turned the screws on the under-pressure German champions, breaking through after 70 minutes through Sesko. Sesko collected a short Dani Olmo pass and drove his shot low, with the ball deflected by Leon Goretzka and rolling into the net. The match looked set for a stalemate until Kane latched onto a pass from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, before volleying past Blaswich to seize a valuable win for the under pressure side.
Earlier on Saturday, Stuttgart were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cologne. Stuttgart were without injured Brighton loanee Deniz Undav, who had scored five goals in his past four league games, picking up the slack from striker Serhou Guirassy, who has only recently returned to club action after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Stuttgart took the lead in the 53rd minute, Enzo Millot finishing off the type of well-worked team move which has become the hallmark of Sebastian Hoeness’ side this season. Cologne drew level nine minutes later, though, Eric Martel tapping in after being left unmarked at the far post from a free-kick. After needing to win a two-legged relegation play-off to stay in the top division last campaign, Stuttgart have been this season’s Bundesliga surprise packages and stay third.