Bayern edge Gladbach to ensure top spot at midpoint

FC Bayern beat Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-0 on Saturday to ensure they will lead the Bundesliga table at the halfway point of the season. Bayern were dominant for large spells, but only Harry Kane's converted penalty midway through the second half made the difference.

Bayern started with the returning Manuel Neuer in goal and Konrad Laimer, Eric Dier, Minjae Kim and Alphonso Davies in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Michael Olise, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané, with Kane up front. Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry took over from Müller and Sané in the second half.

No goals

Bayern were in the driving seat against the passive home side and Dier soon miscued a header from a corner, with Gladbach keeper Moritz Nicolas denying Müller. Goretzka fired wide from close range before Kimmich's pinpoint pass found Müller, but again Nicolas produced a strong save.

Bayern kept probing but saw a number of efforts blocked. A Sané square evaded Kane, but for all their dominance, Bayern failed to find the net before half-time.

Kane from the spot

Gladbach went on the attack after the restart and came closest when Tim Kleindienst headed over. Nicolas parried a Sané drive and Joe Scally only just beat Müller to Olise's through ball as Vincent Kompany's men reasserted their authority. Olise saw a shot saved and was soon upended in the box, with Kane dispatching the ensuing penalty.

Sané had the chance to mark his 29th birthday with a goal but fired over after Nicolas had rushed out and was beaten to the ball by Coman. Gnabry put a shot just wide before Nico Elvedi miscued a header at the other end. Nicolas made another fine save against Goretzka in the frantic closing stages. Borussia's netminder also denied Davies and Gnabry as Bayern sealed a narrow but deserved victory.

The result takes Bayern onto 39 points from 16 matches, four clear of Leverkusen. It means the record champions are certain to top the table at the midpoint of the season. The Bavarians will be back in action on Wednesday when they entertain Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen