Adam Hlozek was at his creative best, providing three assists as Leverkusen ran riot at the Commerzbank Arena, claiming a 5-1 victory against Frankfurt, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nathan Tella replaced Jeremie Frimpong at right wing-back in the starting lineup while Victor Boniface was relegated to a bench role, with Patrik Schick preferred by Xabi Alonso.
Granit Xhaka broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, scoring with a well-struck left-footed shot from 30 yards out to grab his third league goal of the season.
Hugo Ekitike equalized for Frankfurt just after the half-hour mark, heading home from a Farès Chaïbi corner-kick, before Schick put Die Werkself in front again just before halftime, putting a well-cushioned header into the back of the net, courtesy of a Hlozek cross.
Exequiel Palacios scored Leverkusen’s third from the penalty spot after Nathan Tella won a foul in the Frankfurt box. Tella was taken off in the 72nd minute with Jeremie Frimpong coming on in his place. Boniface also replaced Patrik Schick.
Five minutes later, Frimpong got on the scoresheet to score Leverkusen’s fourth. A brilliant pass from Hlozek found the Dutchman in the centre of the box and he wasted no time in rifling the shot into the bottom corner of Kevin Trapp’s goal.
Victor Boniface got in on the act in the 87th minute after Ansgar Knauff fouled Jeremie Frimpong in the box, and after the help of VAR, referee Christian Dingert pointed to the spot.
The Nigerian send the ball down the middle to score his 12th Bundesliga goal of the season, and to extend their gap over Bayern to 15 points.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN MAKE IT 48 GAMES UNBEATEN, thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 on the road.
Xabi Alonso’s team equal Benfica’s post-war European record, which has stood for 59 years. Just two games away from Bundesliga’s first-ever undefeated season.
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With today’s win, Xabi Alonso’s team equalled Benfica’s post-war unbeaten European record, which has stood for 59 years. The Eagles set the record as they were unbeaten in 48 games between December 1963 and February 1965.
With the Bundesliga title in the bag, Leverkusen are still on course for a treble, as they’re in the final of the DFB Pokal, and have a 2-0 lead against Roma in the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League.
