Another Kane "Lupenreiner" lifts Bayern over Augsburg
| Harry Kane scores the first of his three goals from the spot. | Alexander Hassenstein, Getty Images |
German record champions FC Bayern München have recorded their sixth consecutive victory on the bounce. Vincent Kompany's league leaders now haven't drawn or lost since being humbled by Barcelona in the Champions' League almost precisely one month ago. After narrowly squeaking past FC St. Pauli 1-0 last round, Bayern took out Bavarian neighbors FC Augsburg 3-0 at the Allianz Arena. The slender victory over Jess Thorup's Bavarian Swabians offered little in terms of entertainment until the very end, but does ensure that Bayern open up a commanding eight-point-lead over second-place RB Leipzig.
Kompany went with just one change from the narrow 1-0 victory over FC St. Pauli just prior to the international break. Michael Olise was once again preferred to Leroy Sané on the right wing. Joao Palhinha's injury meant that Leon Goretzka - a surprise starter against the Kiezkicker - maintained his place alongside Joshua Kimmich in midfield. Thorup - with the previously suspended Elvis Rexhbecaj international once again at his disposal - also made one change The Kosovo international slotted into the Augsburg XI for Kristijian Jakic.
Compact and defensively disciplined, the visiting Fuggerstädter were initially able to keep the record champions at bay. Goretzka unleashed the first real Bayern effort at goal; a wide distance effort in the 13th. The hosting Bavarians continued to have trouble threatening until Kane and Musiala forced a double-save out of FCA keeper Nediljko Labrovic in the 27th. Goretzka pulled another stretch save out of Labrovic at 45+3. Apart from those instances, Bayern did little to state their case in a goalless first-half.
Kompany's men were much more assertive after the restart. Goretzka found himself unlucky not to score with a header off the crossbar in the 48th. Musiala and Raphaël Guerreiro also took some decent efforts before the hour-mark hit. Just after the hour mark, Bayern were gifted a chance to take the lead from the penalty spot when Mads Pedersen was adjudged to have handled a ball off a corner. Kane duly converted the 1-0 in the 63rd. Augsburg shelled up significantly after the opener, making effectively no effort to take risks in search of the equalizer.
Thorup's introduction of the long injured Ruben Vargas produced absolutely nothing. Bayern kept the ball, mostly circulating it around their own ranks leisurely. On occasion, the hosts attempted to increase their advantage from distance. Musiala came closet to the 2-0 with a test of Labrovic in the 83rd. The official 2-0 again came from the spot. Keven Schlotterbeck earned a straight red for his 90th minute foul on Kane in the box. Kane slotted home the 2-0 at 90+3 after a lengthy VAR review confirmed Schlotterbeck's infraction.
Kane then added some sparkle to the sleepy match at 90+5. The English superstar exhibited a gorgeous touch taking down a Goretzka diagonal. Kane then deftly headed home the 3-0 with his second touch of the ball. The goal - very much worth seeing - enabled Kane to secure his third hat-trick of the season. Since he scored all three goals in one half without any interruption on the scoresheet means that the 31-year-old recorded his second "Lupenreiner" hat-trick of the campaign.
