Harry Kane is on fire again! England star saves Bayern with late winner against RB Leipzig to give Thomas Tuchel’s team hope of catching Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga title race

England captain Harry Kane scored twice to carry Bayern Munich to a scrappy win over RB Leipzig and stay in the Bundesliga title race.

Kane came the closest for the Bavarians in the first half, seeing a free header denied by an acrobatic stop. He didn’t miss in the second half, creating space inside the box before lashing a left-footed effort into the bottom corner. But Leipzig battled their way back, Sesko bagging the equaliser with 20 minutes to play. Kane had the last laugh, though, guiding home a fine finish in second half stoppage time.

It hasn’t been an easy few weeks for Kane. The English striker was toothless against first Leverkusen, then Lazio, going missing in the Bavarians’ biggest games of the season. And although he scored in a losing effort against Bochum last week, he failed to convince. On Saturday, he turned in a far more convincing performance. He was unlucky not to open the scoring after five minutes, and took first his goal well when the moment came. The second was even better – a fine left footed finish. A welcome return to form.

It’s on nights like these that big players need to show up. And Leipzig’s Lois Openda simply didn’t. The pacey forward has been excellent in the Bundesliga this season, scoring 16 goals and adding four assists. But he was almost anonymous here. He managed just 27 touches – only four of which came in the Bayern box – and didn’t put a shot on goal. In the end, Leipzig were perhaps unlucky that the opposition had a truly elite striker leading their line. But they could have done with a better contribution from their own centre-forward in this one.

Bayern will face a scrap to stay in the Bundesliga title race – as current leaders Bayer Leverkusen keep winning. Thomas Tuchel’s side continue that effort with a clash with Freiburg on Friday, before turning their attention to the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash with Lazio.