Kane hat trick against Augsburg hides Bayern's concerning lack of goals

BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored a hat trick including two penalties for Bayern Munich to beat Augsburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14.

The England forward is the fastest player to 50 goals in the Bundesliga in what was his 43rd game.

However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in matches it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0.

Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. Two minutes later, Kane scored with a header after controlling Leon Goretzka's cross with his first touch for a flattering scoreline.

“We had to be patient,” Kane said. “And at halftime that’s what we said, to keep doing what we’re doing. We had a few chances in the first half and we just had to be a bit more clinical and obviously, thankfully, we got the penalty to kind of open the game up.”

Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd.

Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another.

It’s Bayern’s sixth consecutive win without conceding a goal since it conceded four at Barcelona (4-1) on Oct. 23 in the Champions League.

“You can see now that we have a solid defense and that's the basis, also in games like today's,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. “When it's a game of patience, then it's important for us to know that sometimes one goal will have to do. Like today we added two more before the finish, but in the end you only need to score one more than the opponent.”

Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Bayern's Harry Kane, prepares for penalty kick during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern's Harry Kane, reacts to referee asking for a penalty during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern's Harry Kane, left, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal with a penalty kick during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern's Harry Kane on the pitch during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern's Harry Kane, kicks a penalty to score his side's second goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Bayern's Harry Kane, kicks a penalty to score his side's second goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Augsburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport filled out paper ballots on a busy Friday before Thanksgiving to decide whether to go on a 24-hour strike during the holidays.

The vote is being taken by employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services, which provide services like cleaning interiors of the planes, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport said in a news release they were expecting approximately 1.02 million passengers departing between the Thursday and Monday before the holiday. The exact date of the proposed strike has not been announced.

Dorothy Griffin has been working for ABM for seven years and said she provides equipment for people to clean the cabins of planes between flights.

“We're voting on our strike because we're not treated fairly, we're not paid fairly," said Griffin. "We're not respected in our jobs. We just want higher and more wages and a little respect.”

Griffin said the workers have long complained about the working conditions, saying they don’t always have access to drinking water. Griffin said her wages are so low that she doesn’t have money to pay for repairs to her car.

“If we stop working, the airport is going to stop. The planes can’t go,” Griffin said.

ABM issued a statement saying that it would take steps to minimize disruptions from any demonstrations.

“At ABM, we appreciate the hard work our team members put in every day to support our clients and help keep spaces clean and people healthy," the company said in a statement provided to The Associated Press. "We are aware of the planned demonstration over the busy holiday travel season and are taking steps to minimize any potential service disruption.”

Suzanne Mucklow, a representative for Prospect Airport Services, said in a statement to the AP that they recognize the seriousness of the potential for a strike during the busy holiday travel season.

“Prospect Airport Services is proud to provide higher wages, experienced leadership, and comprehensive benefits to all our employees, including the dedicated team members working at Charlotte Douglas International Airport,” Mucklow said. "We prioritize consistent and transparent communication with all our employees, ensuring they receive fair compensation and robust career advancement opportunities.

Lashonda Barber, who also works for ABM as a trash truck driver, said that company's employees have been asking to be unionized and don't get paid sick or vacation time.

“This is very important and the strike vote will hopefully make a difference,” said Barber.

She said the decision to vote to strike for 24 hours was not an easy one for her financially.

“To lose a day of work, it's going to hurt us in the long run,” Barber said.

Nemiah Sydney, of Atlanta, was traveling through the airport on Friday and said he supported the workers voting to strike, although he hoped it would not affect his travel plans.

“They got families they got to take care of. They gotta fight for a better wage,” Sydney said, calling them the essential workers of the airports.

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Associated Press reporter Kristin M. Hall in Nashville, Tennessee contributed to this report.

LaQuanda Harvey, a Prospect airport service worker, votes in favor of a strike at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

An union ballot drop box is seen at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

Passengers walks past a union ballot drop box at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

An union ballot drop box is seen at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)