Back in the Bundesliga for the first time since his underwhelming stint with Mainz 05 in 2014/15, Hjulmand saw his new team make a fast start against Frankfurt, with Alex Grimaldo whipping his free-kick off the post and into the net off the hapless Michael Zetterer.
A rejuvenated Leverkusen side continued to dominate proceedings in the first half, as Lucas Vazquez spurned the chance to score on his debut, firing off target after pouncing on Zetterer’s parry from Aleix Garcia’s right-foot shot.
But the hosts pressed on and ultimately grabbed a deserved second in first-half stoppage time, when Robin Koch’s clumsy foul allowed Patrik Schick to blast into the bottom-left corner from the penalty spot.
That made it three successful conversions from as many club-level penalties taken by the Czech in 2025 – though with the previous two both coming in games that ended level, there was still no room for complacency.
With their 100% start to the season hanging by a thread, Frankfurt showed great character to pull themselves back into the contest within seven minutes of the restart.
The in-form Can Uzun latched onto a dropping ball to lash home his fourth goal in three games with the aid of a deflection.
The visitors’ comeback hopes were then given another boost when Leverkusen captain Robert Andrich was dismissed just shy of the hour mark, as he received his second of two yellows for a sliding challenge on Ritsu Dōan in his attempt to recover a loose touch.
Buoyed by Frankfurt’s favourable 15-minute spell, defender Nnamdi Collins tried his luck with an ambitious effort from distance which rattled the crossbar to Mark Flekken’s relief.
However, the 10 men of Leverkusen soon regained their composure and settled into a sturdy defensive structure that frustrated Dino Toppmoller’s charges.
That structure lost one more member when debutant Equi Fernandez received his second caution in stoppage time for a late lunge.
Despite being left with nine men, Leverkusen still managed to add to their tally through Grimaldo, who curled a free-kick in off the upright to seal his team’s first league win of the season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)