Hoffenheim 1-4 Bayern Munich: Kane stars as visitors extend lead at Bundesliga summit

Harry Kane scored a superb hat-trick as Bayern Munich maintained their perfect Bundesliga start with a routine 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim at the PreZero Arena on Saturday.

The visitors survived an early scare in the 14th minute when Fisnik Asllani struck the post after smartly pressing Manuel Neuer’s short goal-kick, though Kane forced Oliver Baumann into a crucial save just two minutes later, hinting at what was to come.

It was 17-year-old Lennart Karl who then orchestrated the Bavarians’ breakthrough, sending a low cross from a routine corner to Kane at the near post, registering his maiden Bundesliga assist.

Muhammed Damar nearly dragged the hosts level deep into first-half stoppage time only to be denied by a heroic Kim Min Jae block.

Bayern were handed a golden opportunity to double their lead less than a minute into the second half as Sacha Boey’s shot from range struck Albian Hajdari’s hand inside the box, and Kane made no mistake from the spot as he coolly rifled his penalty past a diving Baumann.

Michael Olise was then dragged down inside the box by Bernardo, allowing Kane to complete his second hat-trick of the season by sending Baumann the other way in the 77th minute.

Hoffenheim fought back and earned a consolation goal through Vladimir Coufal, whose wide free-kick in the 82nd minute was deflected past Neuer and into the net by Joshua Kimmich.

Serge Gnabry added further gloss in stoppage time, rounding off a comprehensive win by tapping home Kimmich’s rebounded shot from a tight angle.

The win sees Bayern extend their cushion at the summit to five points, while Hoffenheim drop down to eighth place.