Harry Kane tied Robert Lewandowski’s Bundesliga half-season goal scoring record, but it was Jamal Musiala who provided the real difference in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over 10-man Hoffenheim.
The England striker scored his 22nd goal in 16 appearances in additional time, matching the player whose number nine shirt he inherited after joining from Tottenham in the summer. Kane now has next week’s home game against Werder Bremen to exceed Lewandowski’s total by the midway point of the season.
But on a night when Bayern great Franz Beckenbauer’s death was commemorated with a number of tributes, including the words ‘Danke Franz’ emblazoned on the stadium’s exterior, it was the mercurial talents of the 20-year-old Germany international Musiala who lit up the Allianz Arena and moved his side within a point of leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
The first of his two goals set a new record for the German champions, who have now scored in 65 consecutive home league games, surpassing their own Bundesliga mark set between 1970 and 1974.
Musiala opened the score in the first half with a shot from a tight angle that goalkeeper Oliver Baumann may have saved better, before converting a simpler 70th-minute effort to seal the victory on a night of half-chances and lost opportunities.
Grischa Promel’s 74th-minute dismissal for a second yellow card ended the visitors’ hopes of a late comeback, which appeared unlikely after they failed to capitalise on their only good spell of the game midway through the second half, when Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made two good saves.
During the warm-up, all of Bayern’s players donned Beckenbauer’s number five, and their match shirts said ‘Danke Franz’. There was a moment of silence before kick-off.
The hosts did not produce much until the 18th minute, when they seized the lead with their first shot.
Hoffenheim were guilty of turning off as Bayern took a quick corner, allowing Leroy Sane to pick up Musiala in space, who beat Baumann from the tightest of angles via the far post.
Bayern scored their 50th league goal in their 16th game, while Hoffenheim failed to keep a clean sheet for the 12th time.
The only surprise was the home team’s inability to assert their authority, as the winter break appeared to have dampened their creativity, as all they could generate was a Raphael Guerreiro effort, set up by Kane, which was comfortably turned around the post.
Hoffenheim’s greatest chance came from Andrej Kramaric, whose shot was comfortably saved by Neuer.
Kane believed he had set up Sane for Bayern’s second 10 minutes after half-time, but it was ruled out for offside against the England captain, who continued to look like one of Bayern’s most dangerous players with an effort just deflected wide.
Musiala then hit the post from distance, with Thomas Muller unable to convert the rebound, while Baumann denied Konrad Laimer and Alphonso Davies as Bayern increased the pressure.
But they almost paid the price for not taking their chances, as Neuer was forced to make two fantastic saves, first from Maximilian Beier’s close-range header and then from Kramaric as he raced through on goal.
But they almost paid the price for not taking their chances, as Neuer was forced to make two fantastic saves, first from Maximilian Beier’s close-range header and then from Kramaric as he raced through on goal.
Even when Beier beat Neuer with a volley, the ball hit the crossbar, which proved even more costly.
Musiala doubled his tally by scoring Sane’s return pass, and Kane added his usual late goal.
