Harry Kane’s double sinks Chelsea on Champions League return

Chelsea succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at Bayern Munich on their return to the Champions League.

The game had its first real chance in the seventh minute when Palmer found space and drove into the box, finding João Pedro, but he could not convert. At the other end, Harry Kane headed the ball over the bar from a long way out.

Bayern got their lead courtesy of Trevoh Chalobah’s own goal, as he unfortunately turned in Michael Olise’s low cross into his own net in the 20th minute.

Seven minutes later Kane doubled the Bavarians’ lead from the penalty spot, sending Sanchez the wrong way after he was wrestled down to the floor by Moises Caicedo.

The Blues produced an instant response two minutes later via Cole Palmer, who slotted a beautiful finish into the top left corner from a counter-attack, scoring his 45th goal on his 100th appearance for the West Londoners.

The first half ended with the host having the deserved lead at the break.

Chelsea started the second half strong, pressing hard, and soon found a chance after João Pedro’s link-up play ended with Reece James, but the Chelsea captain struck the ball directly to Manuel Neuer.

Sanchez kept the English side’s hope alive after producing a superb save from Olise, who looked certain to score, to keep them in the game.

The German champions soon dashed the momentum of the Blues when Kane got his second of the night, scoring his 10th of the season after the ball was gifted to him by Malo Gusto from a bad back pass.

Palmer thought he had halved the deficit again after a wonderful through ball from Andrey Santos to play him straight on goal, which he finished brilliantly past Neuer, but he was caught offside.

The Blues host Benfica in their next Champions League game, but they travel to Manchester first to take on Manchester United in their next game on Saturday.