Kanes double secures Bayern lead at Bundesliga summit

Harry Kane netted twice during the opening half, allowing Bayern Munich to claim a straightforward 3-0 triumph against Werder Bremen on Saturday. This performance reestablished their six-point advantage at the pinnacle of the Bundesliga standings. 

The previous days 4-0 victory by Borussia Dortmund against Mainz had narrowed the gap to three points, yet Bayern swiftly countered.

From the outset until the end in Bremen, they dominated proceedings, with Leon Goretzka adding his name to the scoresheet in the 70th minute alongside the England skipper. 

Kane now boasts 26 goals across 22 Bundesliga appearances this term and 41 overall, including 13 penalties. 

For the initial time in 89 outings since the French winger transferred from Crystal Palace in 2024, Bayern took the field without the banned Michael Olise. 

Werder Bremen managed to repel the top team during the early exchanges, but Kane opened the scoring after 22 minutes via a penalty, awarded following a VAR review that confirmed Lennart Karl had been tripped inside the penalty area. 

This marked the third consecutive fixture where Kane had converted a spot-kick to put Bayern ahead. 

Just three minutes on, Bayern extended their advantage as Kane fired a low effort that clipped the right post after originating from the boxes fringe. 

Bayern skipper Manuel Neuer departed at the intervals due to a calf issue resurfacing. 

After the restart, Bremens Marco Gruell struck the upright, but Bayern sealed the outcome when Goretzka finished neatly with 20 minutes left. 

Hoffenheim maintained their resurgence by defeating Freiburg 3-0 on home soil, courtesy of strikes from Fisnik Asllani, Ozan Kabak, and Valentin Gendrey. This strengthened their hold on third position. 

Having narrowly escaped the relegation play-off last campaign, Hoffenheim from a settlement of about 3,500 residents, appear set for Champions League qualification. 

Over their last 16 domestic encounters, Hoffenheim suffered defeat only twice, against Bayern and Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen triumphed 4-0 over St Pauli at home, marking their fifth success in six outings and elevating the prior years champions to fourth place. 

Ex-Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah nodded Leverkusen into the lead after 13 minutes, followed swiftly by Patrik Schicks goal a minute hence to put the home side ahead. 

Edmond Tapsoba and Ernest Poku contributed further in the latter period for Leverkusen, who face Olympiacos in the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday.

Stuttgart could displace Leverkusen to fifth with at least a draw versus Cologne in Saturdays closing match. 

Eintracht Frankfurt earned a 3-0 home success over Borussia Moenchengladbach, granting new manager Albert Riera his debut victory at the helm. 

Goals came from Nathaniel Brown, Ayoube Amaimouni, and Ansgar Knauff for Frankfurt, who surpassed Freiburg to claim seventh spot. 

In other action, Hamburg overturned a deficit to prevail 3-2 against Union Berlin at home, overtaking them for ninth position. 

During Saturdays evening fixture, Stuttgart have the chance to reclaim a top-four berth by not losing to Cologne.