Bayer Leverkusen cruised past Cologne 3-0 on Sunday to take the lead in the Bundesliga title race with their sixth win in seven league matches.
Xabi Alonso’s team, who are still undefeated, scored twice in the first half through Jonas Hofmann and Jeremie Frimpong and added a third through the club’s top scorer Victor Boniface midway through the second half.
They are now on 19 points, one ahead of second-placed VfB Stuttgart, and two in front of Bayern Munich who are third.
With Cologne on the backfoot throughout the game, the hosts missed several chances before Nigeria forward Boniface completed another textbook quick attack with a tap-in after 67 minutes to take his league tally to seven goals.