Harry Kane scored as Bayern Munich won 2-1 in Freiburg on Saturday to move six points clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at RB Leipzig. Kane and fellow Englishman Eric Dier scored the opener in the 15th minute. Dier found Kane who drilled a low shot through the fingers of Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. The goal was Kane's first from open play since mid-November and his 17th in 17 league games this season. Bayern doubled their lead after 54 minutes when Kim Min-jae outwitted Atubolu to head in Joshua Kimmich's corner.
Freiburg made Bayern sweat when Matthias Ginter headed in a corner with 22 minutes to go, but the German giants held on to bounce back from Wednesday's surprise 3-0 Champions League defeat to Feyenoord.
“We have played better games than that,” Kimmich told Sky Germany.
“But that's exactly what you need sometimes. We deserved to win.”
Bayern's victory means defending champions Leverkusen are now six points behind the leaders after dropping points in the league for the first time since early November in Leipzig.
Florian Wirtz impressed throughout and played an important role in Leverkusen's opener.
The German midfielder shrugged off two defenders and shot against the post, with Patrik Schick well placed to tap in and give Leverkusen the lead after 18 minutes.
Leverkusen's controversial second, scored after 36 minutes, was also scored by Wirtz.
On the touchline, the 21-year-old won the ball from Leipzig's David Raum as he appeared to stick his studs into the defender's leg.
With Raum on the ground, Wirtz dribbled towards the goal and cut the ball back to Aleix Garcia, who calmly slotted home.
Raum took revenge just five minutes later by firing a deflected free-kick onto the crossbar, cutting off Leverkusen's lead.
Leipzig equalized with five minutes to go from a new set piece. Xavi Simons fired a free kick into the penalty area, which Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba turned into his own goal.
“We are not satisfied. It could have been better, but it could also have been worse. We will continue,” said Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso.
Schick added: “We weren't effective enough up front and Leipzig played well today. Not many teams win here.”
The battle in Dortmund continues
In their first match since the sacking of coach Nuri Sahin, 10-man Borussia Dortmund also let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 at home to Werder Bremen.
Dortmund's chances started early when centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck was shown a red card after 21 minutes for a last-man foul.
The home team was dangerous despite the deficit and took the lead seven minutes later when Julian Brandt found Serhou Guirassy who headed in his eighth league goal of the season.
Dortmund looked to be in charge when Guirassy's cross was converted into his own goal by Bremen defender Marco Friedl in the 51st minute, but Bremen leveled matters with two goals in eight minutes.
Former Dortmund midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt unleashed a rocket from outside the penalty area before Marvin Ducksch caught the hosts napping, ran behind and scored to take things to the next level.
Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken confirmed after the match that interim coach Mike Tullberg would remain in charge of Wednesday's Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Elsewhere, Mainz continued their impressive run this season, beating Stuttgart 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Nelson Weiper and Anthony Caci.
Relegation candidates last campaign, Mainz's win leaves them sixth, one point behind Stuttgart and Leipzig and in the race for a Champions League place.
An injury time goal from Keven Schlotterbeck lifted Augsburg to a 2-1 home win over Heidenheim.
In Saturday's late match, Borussia Mönchengladbach hosted last-placed Bochum.
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