Harry Kane has insisted Bayern Munich were totally in control of their win over Koln on Friday night, despite the 1-0 scoreline as he broke yet more Bundesliga records.
A first-half tap-in for the ex-Tottenham striker made it 18 goals in his first 12 games in the German top flight, a league record.
Kane's tally for the season also bests the previous record for an Englishman in the Bundesliga. Kevin Keegan and Jadon Sancho previously shared the honour with their 17-goal campaigns - a number Kane is sure to blitz after his fast start.
"It was a really good game for us today," said Kane post-match.
"Some people look at the result and might have expected a little more. But it was a fantastic game from everyone. We could have scored three goals in the first half alone.
1⃣8⃣ Harry Kane 23/24
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 24, 2023
1⃣7⃣ Jadon Sancho 19/20
1⃣7⃣ Kevin Keegan 78/79
Harry Kane has become the highest-scoring Englishman in a single Bundesliga campaign 🏴 pic.twitter.com/ZXr1I7ESW9
"The result was the most important thing. [Koln] played a few long balls in the second half, but we defended those too. It never looked dangerous, which is a good sign."
The German champions completely overran the hosts at the start and had half a dozen golden chances, including a Leroy Sane one-on-one with goalkeeper Marvin Schwaebe, to score early.
Koln almost did it for them when defender Timo Huebers sent the ball onto his own post as he attempted to clear under Bayern pressure in the seventh minute.
It was only a matter of time until the visitors struck and it was Kane who put the ball in the net on the rebound after 20 minutes following an effort from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting that was blocked off the line, but straight into the forward's path.
Bayern eased off in the second half, though they did remain in control and were rarely threatened. Bayern winger Kingsley Coman also hit the crossbar with a header in the 79th minute after Sane had squandered another good chance for the visitors.
The result keeps Munich unbeaten in the Bundesliga and sends them top, a point clear of Bayer Leverkusen who play Werder Bremen on Saturday.
