Bayer Leverkusen moved up to fourth in the Bundesliga after a convincing 2-0 victory over Union Berlin, extending their dominant H2H record to just one defeat in 16 meetings (W10, D5).
Only once since 2019 had Leverkusen accumulated fewer points than their eight at this stage of the season, so Kasper Hjulmand’s men knew a positive start was needed against Union.
It was the visitors, however, who created the first meaningful chance of the contest, with Jeong Woo-yeong seeing a low strike from the edge of the box smartly saved by Mark Flekken.
Both sides pressed for an opener as the first half progressed, as Danilho Doekhi fired wide from close range for Union, while at the other end, Alejandro Grimaldo saw a powerful effort fly narrowly over the bar.
Leverkusen continued to up the ante before HT, and their pressure paid dividends in the 33rd minute when Lucas Vázquez’s cutback was clinically converted by Ernest Poku for the Dutchman’s second goal of the season.
The hosts carried their momentum into the early stages of the second half, and Hjulmand’s men doubled their lead, with Christian Kofane capitalising on a dreadful mistake from Frederik Rønnow to tap into an empty net from six yards.
Armed with a two-goal cushion, Die Werkself came within inches of adding a third shortly after, only for Ibrahim Maza’s close-range effort to crash against the post.
Union searched for a route back into the contest with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, but Leverkusen remained the dominant team, as Malik Tillman directed a couple of half-chances off target.
The result was never in doubt, though, as the hosts eased through the closing stages to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches across all competitions (W3, D4).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ernest Poku (Bayer Leverkusen)