Leverkusen defeats Hoffenheim, extend home winning run

Bayer Leverkusen triumph over relegation-battler Hoffenheim 3-1, winning their sixth Bundesliga home match in a row.

The Bundesliga champions bounced back from last week’s disappointing draw at Leipzig, despite Alex Grimaldo’s second-half red card.

Goals from Victor Boniface, Jeremie Frimpong and Patrick Schick secured the victory for Xabi Alonso’s side.

Leverkusen dominated in the opening stages and scored after 15 minutes.

Victor Boniface, who just returned from injury, met Grimaldo’s pass to strike home at the far post, beating Luca Philipp.

Jeremie Frimpong then doubled the lead four minutes later, latched onto Aleix Garcia’s fine throughball to make it 2-0.

Leverkusen got a third goal six minutes after the break. Patrick Schick smashed the rebound of Emiliano Buendia’s saved shot into the top-right corner.

The hosts then got reduced to 10 men as Grimaldo received his second yellow, for a foul on Marius Butler.

Hoffenheim got their consolation when substitute Gift Orban pulled one back with a close-range finish.

Leverkusen move onto 45 points, six behind leaders Bayern, while Hoffenheim remain 15th, just four points above the drop zone.