Patrik Schick hits hat-trick as Bayer Leverkusen beat Bochum, Harry Kane scores in Bayern Munich win

WOLFSBURG – Patrik Schick scored a first-half hat-trick as Bayer Leverkusen thumped Bochum 4-0 at home to stay four points clear of Bayern Munich, who won 2-1 at Wolfsburg on Dec 20.

“We’re happy about that, but it’s even more important that we keep doing it into the new year,” Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes told Sky.

Harry Kane’s 21st league goal was the difference in Bayern’s victory but Leverkusen continued their stellar record to claim the three points and keep the German champions at bay.

With January’s Africa Cup of Nations in mind, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso rested several starters, including Nigeria striker Victor Boniface.

Schick, handed his first league start in 14 months, repaid his coach’s faith, winning and converting a penalty after half an hour.

The Czech forward doubled up two minutes later, slamming in a Jeremie Frimpong cross to make it 2-0. He scored again just before the break, this time heading in a corner.

Alonso took Schick off to a standing ovation midway through the second half for Boniface, who scored two minutes after coming on.

An undermanned Bayern were made to work to keep pace with Leverkusen, with Jamal Musiala and Kane scoring first-half goals to seal victory at Wolfsburg.

“We were in the red zone,” coach Thomas Tuchel said. “Compliments to the players. That was a real tour de force in the second half.”

Playing a second straight time without the flu-hit midfield duo of Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich, Bayern rushed out to a 2-0 lead but were pegged back before half-time by a Maximilian Arnold stunner.

The German champions dug in throughout the second half against a dogged Wolfsburg side under former Bayern coach Niko Kovac, and held on to claim a valuable three points in what is emerging as a two-horse title race.

“They’re a great team, they’ve got a great coach. We can’t control their game, all we can do is keep pushing them,” Kane said of Leverkusen after the game.

“We’re not even halfway through the season yet, so we can’t focus on them too much.”

The England captain has scored 25 goals in 22 matches in all competitions since making the move to Germany and said he “can’t wait” for his first winter break.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Kane said. “It’s been tough here without the family for these four months, without the kids and without the wife.”

Kane moved to Bayern from childhood club Tottenham Hotspur in August, with his family remaining in London.

“It’s just about spending some time with them, some quality time.”

Unlike the English Premier League, German football takes a break in winter, with this season’s breather lasting more than three weeks.

“We’re going somewhere hot, so we’ll spend 10 days and just enjoy that time” Kane said. “I’m going to text all my mates in England a picture of me on the beach somewhere.” AFP