Harry Kane broke the record for the most goals scored in a Bundesliga season by an English player as his close-range finish sent Bayern Munich top of the table with Friday’s 1-0 win at Koln.
Kane was on hand to tap home when Julian Chabot scrambled Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s low effort off the line at the end of a rapid Bayern break 20 minutes in.
That goal took the former Tottenham hero to 18 in his first 12 appearances in the German top flight, a competition record.
It also means he has already surpassed the record haul for an English player across an entire Bundesliga season, moving clear of Jadon Sancho, who hit 17 goals for Borussia Dortmund in 2019-20, and Kevin Keegan, who managed the same amount for Hamburger SV in 1978-79.
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Speaking to DAZN in Germany after the win, Kane said: “It was an important game for us today. Of course, the result may not look that great for some, but we did the job.
“We could have scored three goals in the first half alone. It’s a very good and important three points. The positive result was the most important thing today.”
Great win away from home. Had good control throughout the whole game! Let’s keep it going. ???? #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/J2vvwlkMrt
— Harry Kane (@HKane) November 24, 2023
Bayern should have extended their lead in the first half as Leroy Sane flicked wide of the left-hand post when through on goal, while Marvin Schwabe kept out Kingsley Coman’s well-struck volley.
Sane squandered another glaring opportunity in the second half but it didn’t matter as Bayern held their opponents – who prop up the Bundesliga table with six points – at arm’s length.
Bayern moved one point clear of surprise title challengers Bayer Leverkusen with Friday’s victory, though Xabi Alonso’s men can return to the summit when they face Werder Bremen on Saturday.