Harry Kane scored his 15th goal of the season as Bayern Munich thumped rock-bottom Bochum 5-0 to go top of the Bundesliga table on goal-difference.
But they soon found their rhythm and took the lead on 16 minutes, courtesy of a deft free-kick from Michael Olise on the edge of the box.
Jamal Musiala, who was on the bench for the Barca defeat with a hip injury, made his return to the line-up and doubled the Bavarians’ lead with a header from Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick 10 minutes later.
Bochum brought on Cristian Gamboa in the second half but it made little difference to their defending. Kane made it 3-0 just before the hour mark with a ferocious finish after being teed up by Musiala, and substitute Leroy Sane capitalised on a mistake at the back to grab the fourth in quick-fire fashion.
Kingsley Coman completed the rout with arguably the goal of the game, letting fly from distance with his shot crashing in off the underside of the bar.
The result puts Bayern level on points with RB Leipzig, but the Bavarians have a superior goal difference at the summit of the table while Bochum remain bottom.
Talking Point – Bayern provide soothing balm to Barca defeat
The 5-0 thumping served as an emphatic response from Bayern to their midweek defeat in Barcelona.
It may be going wrong for the Bavarians in Europe with just one victory from their opening three encounters, but domestically, Vincent Kompany’s side have been in fine form.
Bayern’s attacking style can, at times, leave them open at the back. But there was enough firepower to kill the game off by the start of the second half against Bochum, with Musiala’s influence key on his return to the side.
Player of the Match – Jamal Musiala
The 21-year-old was back to his scintillating best in the centre of midfield, linking up well with former Crystal Palace man Olise.
Musiala got himself on target with a good header and produced a beautiful nutmeg and assist for Kane. He also could have scored another with a spectacular bicycle kick.
Player Ratings
Bochum: Drewes 5, Passlack 4, Oermann 5, Ordets 5, Medić 5, Wittek 6, Sissoko 6, Mašović 5, Losilla 5, de Wit 5, Broschinski 6. Subs: Gamboa 5, Daschner n/a, Hoffman n/a, Miyoshi n/a, Pannewig n/a.
Bayern Munich: Neuer 5, Laimer 5, Upamecano 6, Kim 7, Davies 6, Kimmich 7, Palhinha 6, Olise 8, Musiala 9*, Coman 6, Kane 7. Subs: Goretka 5, Sane 5, Muller 5, Tel n/a, Dier n/a.
Match Highlights:
16′ – GOAL FOR BAYERN! Kane is brought down on the edge of the box. Olise takes the free-kick and calmly dinks it over the ball and in!
26′ – GOAL FOR BAYERN! Musiala makes it 2-0 with a header from Kimmich’s free-kick.
57′ – GOAL FOR BAYERN! Its that man Kane who lashes the ball high into the net after a lovely nutmeg, run and assist from Musiala.
65′ – GOAL FOR BAYERN! Bochum give the ball away at the back and Sane pounches before firing an effort into the far corner. What a strike!
71′ – GOAL FOR BAYERN! Coman makes it five with arguably the goal of the game. He collects Davies pass then lets fly from distance with his efofrt going in off the bar.
Key Stat
Read the full article here
