Blistering Bayern down Kiel to go top

FC Bayern downed Holstein Kiel 6-1 on Saturday evening to go top of the Bundesliga. Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane handed Munich an early lead, Nicolai Remberg soon putting through his own goal. Kane made it four before half-time and Michael Olise netted midway through the second half, with Armin Gigović scoring a consolation goal for Kiel in the closing stages. Kane added the final flourish from the penalty spot.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Sacha Boey, Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Raphaël Guerreiro in defence. Joshua Kimmich and João Palhinha anchored a midfield featuring Kingsley Coman, Musiala and Serge Gnabry, with Kane up front. Thomas Müller and Olise came on for Musiala and Gnabry at half-time, with Konrad Laimer, Alphonso Davies and Mathys Tel coming on for Boey, Guerreiro and Coman in the second half.

Blistering start

Bayern hit the ground running and opened the scoring after only 14 seconds, when Kane's header released the charging Musiala, who slotted past home keeper Timon Weiner. Munich soon doubled the lead, Gnabry intercepting a pass at the edge of the box, with Kane on hand to fire home. Minutes later, Musiala intercepted a pass back and wriggled his way past two defenders along the byline before cutting back, with Remberg putting through his own goal under pressure from Gnabry.

The promoted side increasingly sought to limit the damage and restricted FCB to a Gnabry volley that crashed off the post at a corner and a Kane effort that went wide, but Bayern had not had enough. Gnabry fired wide before seeing an effort parried, with Weiner saving Coman's rebound. Palhinha saw a shot blocked, but Coman's square soon found the unmarked Kane, whose forensic finish found the inside of the post. Weiner denied Gnabry as Bayern were four up at half-time.

More of the same

The first 20 minutes after the restart were a stalemate. Benedikt Pichler's header hit the top of the crossbar, with Weiner denying Olise, Coman and Upamecano, but the netminder could only parry Davies' shot and Olise was on hand to mop up the rebound for the fifth.

Kiel upped the ante in the closing stages and got a consolation goal when Gigović headed past Neuer. Former FCB man Fiete Arp soon hit the bar, but Kane was upended in the box and Bayern were awarded a penalty, which the England captain dispatched to round off his hat-trick and the final scoreline.

The result sends Bayern to the top of the table on nine points from three matches. The German record champions will be back in action in just three days, when they entertain Dinamo Zagreb in the opening game of the new Champions League campaign.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen