Kane scores as Bayern win at Mainz, Leverkusen go top

BERLIN: Harry Kane scored his ninth goal in eight league matches as Bayern Munich won 3-1 at Mainz on Saturday (Oct 21), after Bayer Leverkusen returned to the top of the table by winning at Wolfsburg.

Kane headed in from close range after Kingsley Coman had given Bayern an early lead, continuing his stunning form since leaving Tottenham in the summer.

Mainz, who had won their previous three home league matches against the perennial German champions, pulled one back just before half-time when Anthony Caci blasted home.

Early in the second half, Mainz defender Stefan Bell was centimetres away from equalising for the home side but shot wide on the counter.

Bayern however launched a counter of their own, Leon Goretzka slamming in from outside the box for the visitors' third to put the game to bed.

Kane admitted Bayern "rode our luck at times" but told Sky Germany "it's an important away win."

"I still feel like there's room for improvement -- I'm still getting to know my teammates."

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel praised his side's toughness.

"(Matthijs de Ligt) is coming back from injury, Jo (Joshua Kimmich) had the flu and Leon (Goretzka) had a swollen ankle, so I'm happy about it. Awesome performance."

Bayern, who have won the past 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, now sit two points behind Leverkusen with eight matches played.

In Wolfsburg, a second-half goal from Alex Grimaldo took Leverkusen one point clear atop the table with a 2-1 win, replacing Borussia Dortmund who had taken top spot with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen on Friday.

The visitors had hit the lead early, Victor Boniface holding off four defenders while chipping across to Jeremie Frimpong, who leapt acrobatically to direct a shot into the net.

Wolfsburg 'keeper Pavao Pervan