Serge Gnabry scored four goals as Bayern Munich ripped apart an insipid Tottenham Hotspur side 7-2 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men had the perfect start as Heung-Min Son beat Manuel Neuer in only the 12th minute of the match but that was as good as it got. Joshua Kimmich drove home a great drive from outside of the penalty area before Robert Lewandowksi showed typically clinical instincts to then seize the lead for the visitors just before the break with a fantastic finish.
Two quickfire strikes from Gnabry in the second-half on his return to North London saw Bayern pull clear before the hosts reduced the deficit as Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot following a foul on Danny Rose.
Just as they had some hope, the game really was ripped away from them as Gnabry sealed his quadruple with two late strikes that sandwiched another from Lewandowski on a sobering night for Tottenham.
Son strikes for Tottenham early on
Despite the emphatic scoreline, it was quite an open start to the match and former Arsenal man Gnabry had Bayern’s first effort at goal as he tested Hugo Lloris with a thunderous drive. Son should also have opened the scoring but could not beat Neuer from close range.
The South-Korean forward did eventually have his goal though as Moussa Sissoko picked off a sloppy pass and played his teammate through. Son stayed composed to drive the ball underneath Neuer and into the bottom corner.
Kimmich replies for Bayern
Spurs were not ahead for very long as a poor clearance from the home side fell to Kimmich outside of the penalty area. The versatile defender had plenty of time to shift the ball onto his favoured side and fire a swerving strike into the bottom corner of the Spurs net that left Lloris sprawling.
Lewandowski then completed the turnaround just before the break and was both the creator and finisher. The Polish forward produced a fantastic bit of skill to flick the ball over his defender and advance into the penalty area. His cross was cut out and Corentin Tolisso fell in the penalty area but the referee was uninterested. Lewandowski picked the ball up once again, spun well and clinically struck into the bottom corner.
Gnabry seals win for German champions
Following half-time, it only looked as though one side would win the match and that was Bayern. Former Gunner Gnabry, who was brilliant all evening long, notched the third as he skipped away from Serge Aurier on the right-flank, drifted inside and speared the ball into the bottom corner.
He was on the scoresheet once again a minute later as Bayern flooded the midfield and nicked the ball. The 24-year-old picked up the ball and finished confidently with a low shot into the far corner that nestled into the net via the post.
Tottenham did get a lifeline in the game though as Kingsley Coman was somewhat unlucky to have a penalty awarded against him for a slight kick on Rose. Kane predictably was the man to step up and he placed the ball beyond the reach of Neuer into the bottom corner.
Hat-trick for former Gunner silences Spurs
The hope did not last long though as the unplayable Gnabry sealed his treble in the final throws of the game. Latching onto a long-ball, he raced away from Aurier and took the ball into the penalty area before rolling it under Lloris.
Just as the Bavarians struck two quickfire strikes at the start of the second-half, they did it right at the end too. A delectable touch from Philippe Coutinho found Lewandowski in space once again and he arrowed a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
There was even still time for Gnabry to get yet another one as Spurs absolutely capitulated. He was gifted far too much space on the edge of the penalty area and belted the ball past Lloris to seal an emphatic victory for Bayern and an embarrassing evening for Tottenham.
Final Thoughts
If there weren’t clues that things needed to change in North London before, then there surely is now. Their performance in the first-half wasn’t all too bad but they absolutely fell apart after the break. Conceding with that frequency no matter what the opposition is never acceptable. Bayern meanwhile put in a stunning showing of ruthless efficiency in front of goal and thoroughly deserved their thumping win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Match Report
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (5); Rose (5), Vertonghen (4), Alderweireld (5), Aurier (3); Winks (7) (Lamela (N/A), 81′), Ndombele (7) (Eriksen (4), 64′), Sissoko (5); Alli (5) (Moura (4), 71′), Son (6), Kane (6).
Bayern Munich: Neuer (7); Alaba (6) (Thiago (7), 46′), Sule (7), Boateng (6) (Martinez (6), 72′), Pavard (7), Kimmich (8); Tolisso (7), Gnabry (10), Coman (7)(Perisic (6), 71′), Coutinho (7); Lewandowski (8).
Goals: Son (12′), Kimmich (15′), Lewandowski (45′, 87′), Gnabry (53′, 55′, 83′, 88′), Kane PEN (61′)
Referee: Clement Turpin
Yellow Cards: Gnabry (25′), Ndombele (43′), Kane (45′)
Red Cards: N/A
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