The Japan Times - Kane brace helps Bayern widen gap atop Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund's 4-0 win over Mainz on Friday drew them within three points of the league leaders but Bayern responded.

They were in control from start to finish in Bremen, with Leon Goretzka joining the England captain on the scoresheet in the 70th minute.

Kane has 26 goals in 22 Bundesliga games this season and 41 in all competitions, 13 of those from the penalty spot.

Bayern lined up without the suspended Michael Olise for the first time in 89 matches in all competitions since the France winger arrived from Crystal Palace in 2024.

Bremen kept the league leaders at bay in the opening stages but Kane gave Bayern the lead with 22 minutes played, converting a penalty after VAR found Lennart Karl was felled in the box.

It was the third straight match Kane had given Bayern the lead from the penalty spot.

Bayern doubled their lead three minutes later when Kane snuck a low shot in off the right post from the edge of the box.

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer was subbed off at half-time with a recurrence of a calf injury.

Bremen's Marco Gruell hit the post shortly after the break but Bayern put the game to bed when Goretzka swept home with 20 minutes remaining.

Hoffenheim continued their turnaround this season, beating Freiburg 3-0 at home with goals from Fisnik Asllani, Ozan Kabak and Valentin Gendrey as they tightened their grip on third spot.

Finishing just one spot above the relegation playoff spot last season, Hoffenheim, in a village of around 3,500 people, are on course for Champions League football.

In their past 16 league matches, Hoffenheim have only lost twice -- to Bayern and Dortmund.

Bayer Leverkusen beat St Pauli 4-0 at home, their fifth win in their past six games taking the 2024 title winners to fourth spot.

Former Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah headed Leverkusen in front with 13 minutes gone and Patrik Schick struck just a minute later to put the hosts in front.

Edmond Tapsoba and Ernest Poku added second half goals for Leverkusen, who play at Olympiacos in the Champions League knockouts on Wednesday.

Stuttgart can push Leverkusen back to fifth by avoiding defeat at home to Cologne in Saturday's late game.

Eintracht Frankfurt cruised to a 3-0 home victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach to hand coach Albert Riera a first win since taking over the club.

Nathaniel Brown, Ayoube Amaimouni and Ansgar Knauff scored for Frankfurt, who overtook Freiburg into seventh.

Elsewhere, Hamburg came from a goal down to beat Union Berlin 3-2 at home and leapfrog their opponents into ninth.

In Saturday's late game, Stuttgart can move back into the top four by avoiding defeat at home to Cologne.

S.Yamada--JT