Irresistible Bayern annihilate Spurs

FC Bayern thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 7-2 on Tuesday night, taking a giant stride towards the Champions League last sixteen. Heung-min Son put the home side ahead, but Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski turned the tide in the first half. Bayern turned in a world-class performance after half-time, Serge Gnabry netting twice within two minutes. Harry Kane pulled one back from the penalty spot, but two more Gnabry goals and another one from Lewandowski turned the game into a most remarkable thrashing.

The German record champions started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Benjamin Pavard, Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng and David Alaba in a back four. Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso featured in a twin holding role behind Gnabry, Philippe Coutinho and Kingsley Coman, with Lewandowski as lone striker. Thiago took over from Alaba at half-time, Kimmich moving to right-back, with Pavard shifting to the left. Ivan Perišić and Javi Martínez came on for Coman and Boateng midway through the second half.

Scorching first half

The 60,127 full house in London saw a high-octane encounter between two evenly-matched sides at first. Gnabry drew a fine save from Tottemham keeper Hugo Lloris before Neuer denied Heung-min Son at the other end. Tanguy Ndombele soon slipped a ball through to Son, who beat Neuer from 18 yards. Kimmich levelled the scores just three minutes later, smashing into the far corner from 25 yards.

Spurs enjoyed a spell in command now, Alaba making a last-ditch scramble against Kane, who had beaten Neuer. Coutinho tested Lloris before Neuer denied Ndombele, Son firing wide. Bayern asserted their authority towards the end of the first half, and Lewandowski put the Bavarians ahead when he capitalised on a mix-up in Tottenham's box, sidestepping an opponent before blasting into the low corner of the net.

Serge the hero

The men from Munich were utterly dominant after the restart, Lewandowski seeing an effort blocked before Tolisso fired wide, but Gnabry twisted the knife when he crowed a fine solo run with a perfect finish, blasting into the far corner. The Germany international made it four for Bayern just two minutes later, expertly dispatching a Tolisso pass. Hotspur were soon awarded a penalty, Kane pulling one back on the hour, and Neuer was called into action by Christian Eriksen.

Eriksen miscued another effort before Gnabry went for the jugular, latching onto a Thiago through-ball and beating Lloris. The home side went absent without leave after the goal, Coutinho inviting Lewandowski to find the net after a stray pass. Gnabry soon capitalised on another misplaced pass to score his fourth and Bayern's seven goal, and match official Clément Turpin put Spurs out of their misery.

The result means Bayern top Group B on six points, three clear of Red Star Belgrade. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday, when they entertain Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen