Aiming to go three league games without defeat for just the second time this season, St Pauli made a positive start to proceedings, coming close through Jackson Irvine, whose deflected header hit the crossbar to deny him a first Bundesliga goal.
However, it didn’t take long for Bayern to take advantage of that miss, assuming the lead when Siebe Van der Heyden’s turnover allowed Michael Olise to pick out Harry Kane for his first goal in six league matches, meaning he’s now scored against every Bundesliga side he’s faced.
The visitors had lost every top-flight encounter in which they’d fallen behind in this season, yet the league’s lowest scoring side soon found themselves level. A first-time cross from Manolis Saliakas evaded Bayern’s backline, giving Elias Saad the relatively simple task of tucking past Jonas Urbig.
Having dominated possession, the hosts momentarily thought they’d re-established their lead when Kane displayed some neat footwork before finishing from close range, only for the runaway top scorer to be flagged offside.
Alexander Blessin’s side had defended well in the first period, but another lapse in concentration was mercilessly punished by the hosts, who retook the lead within 10 minutes of the restart. Again, Olise was the architect, this time picking out Leroy Sane with a first-time ball, giving the wide man the time and space to incisively finish past Nikola Vasilj.
Now on the back foot, St Pauli withstood increasing Bayern pressure as Olise flashed wide and Vasilj thwarted Musiala, but that resistance eventually broke in the 71st minute.
Continuing to pull the strings, Olise set Kane away in behind the St Pauli defence, where the England international teed up Sane for a straightforward tap-in.
That goal appeared to knock the stuffing out of the visitors, who nonetheless netted a stoppage-time consolation when Lars Ritzka slotted home from range for his first Bundesliga goal.
The result extends St Pauli’s winless away league run to four games (D1, L3), and although a credible performance against the league leaders will have pleased the travelling support, Heidenheim’s win over Wolfsburg leaves Kiezkicker just three points above the relegation playoff spot.
As for Bayern, the display may not have been entirely convincing, but with just seven games to play, Vincent Kompany will be satisfied with his side’s commanding position.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)