The Japan Times - Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear

There were few chances in the first half but Kane signalled his intent 30 seconds after the break, rattling the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.

Kane was key in winning Bayern's first penalty and breaking down Bremen's stubborn resistance.

The England captain tussled with defender Anthony Young and headed a chipped cross against the Bremen man's arm, which was slightly extended.

The England captain stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Michael Zetterer the wrong way.

Leroy Sane tapped in a Konrad Laimer cross from close range for Bayern's second in the 82nd minute.

In stoppage time, Young was again deemed guilty of a foul in the box, this time on Jamal Musiala.

Kane stepped up and converted, bringing his penalty streak to 29 in a row for club and country.

The former Spurs striker now has 21 goals in 19 league games for Bayern this season, including nine penalties.

Defending champions Leverkusen travel to Wolfsburg on Saturday and can cut Bayern's lead back to six points with a win.

Bayern play away at Leverkusen next week in a match bookended by a two-legged Champions League knockout tie against Celtic.

Bremen fought hard but were undermanned, on and off the field.

Coach Ole Werner along with defenders Niklas Stark and Marco Friedl were all missing due to red cards in the 1-0 home win against in-form Mainz last time out, while attackers Leonardo Bittencourt and Romano Schmid were sidelined with muscle strains.

Despite the loss, Bremen sit eighth, one point behind the European placings, as they bid for a return to continental competition for the first time since 2010-11.

M.Ito--JT