Five star Leverkusen thrash Eintracht Frankfurt
With one eye on next week's European fixture, an experimental Leverkusen took the lead inside 12 minutes this afternoon. Long-range strikes have been somewhat of a speciality for Die Werkself lately, as Granit Xhaka thumped home from the edge of the box. A suspended Xabi Alonso watched on from the eaves of the Deutsche-Bank Arena.
Frankfurt have been a hard nut to crack at the best of times this season and they responded in the 32nd minute. A beautiful training ground move from a short corner eventually worked its way to Farès Chaïbi. The Algerian's in-swinging cross was met at the back post by an unmarked Hugo Ekitiké, netting his third goal in three games. While Marmoush spurned a guilt-edged chance, Patrik Schick did not - the Czech striker rose highest to head past the fingertips of Trapp before the break.
Die Adler started the stronger of the two sides after the interval until Niels Nkounkou coughed up a careless penalty approaching the hour. Arthur's cross carried through just as Tella tried to retrieve possession, Frankfurt’s French defender needlessly pulled his shirt. Exequiel Palacios stepped forth to send Kevin Trapp the wrong way from the spot.
With the cavalry arriving off the bench, the German champions put the game beyond doubt with 13 minutes remaining. A swift counter allowed Hofmann to release Hložek down the left flank. As he has done so all campaign, Jeremie Frimpong channelled his run into the box to fire past a sprawling Kevin Trapp. A second penalty conceded by Ansgar Knauff would gift Boniface a share of the goals in a resounding 5-1 win. Leverkusen consequently extending their unbeaten run to 48 games in what has been a spectacular season.