Bundesliga: Kane scores as Bayern win at Mainz, Leverkusen go top
Harry Kane scored his ninth goal in eight league matches as Bayern Munich won 3-1 at Mainz on Saturday after Bayer Leverkusen returned to the top of the table by winning at Wolfsburg.
Kane headed in from close range after Kingsley Coman had given Bayern an early lead, continuing his stunning form since leaving Tottenham in the summer.
Mainz, who had won their previous three home league matches against the perennial German champions, pulled one back just before half-time when Anthony Caci blasted home.
Early in the second half, Mainz defender Stefan Bell was centimetres away from equalising for the home side but shot wide on the counter.
Bayern, however, launched a counter of their own, Leon Goretzka slamming in from outside the box for the visitors’ third to put the game to bed.
Kane admitted Bayern “rode our luck at times” but told Sky Germany “it’s an important away win.”
“I still feel like there’s room for improvement; I’m still getting to know my teammates.”
Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel praised his side’s toughness.
“(Matthijs de Ligt) is coming back from injury, Jo (Joshua Kimmich) had the flu and Leon (Goretzka) had a swollen ankle, so I’m happy about it. Awesome performance.”
Bayern, who have won the past 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, now sit two points behind Leverkusen with eight matches played.
In Wolfsburg, a second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo took Leverkusen one point clear atop the table with a 2-1 win, replacing Borussia Dortmund who had taken the top spot with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen on Friday.
The visitors had hit the lead early, Victor Boniface holding off four defenders while chipping across to Jeremie Frimpong, who leapt acrobatically to direct a shot into the net.
Wolfsburg ‘keeper Pavao Pervan caught it and played on as Frimpong celebrated, but goal-line technology confirmed the goal was valid.
Wolfsburg were less elegant in reply, Maxence Lacroix tapping in from close range to equalise just before half-time.
Bayer coach Xabi Alonso brought creative midfielder Florian Wirtz off the bench in search of a winner with 30 minutes remaining and the 20-year-old obliged, winning possession to help set up Grimaldo’s equaliser.
“After we hit the lead, we got worse and there were too many mistakes,” Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka told Sky Germany.
“In the second half, we showed a reaction and we won deservedly.”
Unbeaten Bayer return to the top and have now won seven of their eight league fixtures.
