Havertz the star as Leverkusen thrash Bremen

Bayer Leverkusen moved to just within one point of the Champions League places after an easy victory over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. The game was quiet for the opening 25 minutes before Havertz scored twice, either side of a Selassie goal, in seven mad first half minutes. Then, Weiser headed home just after the hour mark to kill off the contest and Demirbay made it four 12 minutes from time. 

Leverkusen had more possession early on before Bremen started to pick up, but there were no major chances early on. Then, after 28 minutes, Leverkusen took the lead. Diaby turned past Friedl on this near side and Havertz beat Selassie to the cross to head home. Seconds later, Selke won a corner for the hosts and Selassie redeemed himself. 

Bittencourt's delivery was flicked home at the near post by Selassie and Bremen were deservedly back level. However, what happened just two minutes later undoubtedly affected the rest of the contest. The away side won a free-kick on this near side, Demirbay sent it in and Havertz took advantage of the non-existent defending to head past Pavlenka and make it 1-2.

Leverkusen then took control of the contest although Bremen did have a good few minutes before half-time which saw Bittencourt fire over from inside then D and then Friedl head wide from a corner. After the interval, Leverkusen were never in the game. 

 

May 18, 2020

Havertz was denied a hat-trick by the keeper two minutes into the second half and Peter Bosz's men were very comfortable. In the 61st minute, the game was over when Diaby received the ball and he chipped a ball into the area for Weiser who headed home. 

Bremen then went up the other end, but they wasted their best chances. When Selke found an opening, he should have squared for Rashica at the back stick, but he went for Max Eggestein in the middle and he scuffed one wide. 

Leverkusen then saw Bellarabi have an effort saved by the GK, Bailey hit the sidenetting and Havertz have a shot deflected wide before they finally got a fourth in the 78th minute. Bellarabi found Demirbay with a lovely through ball and he waited for the keeper to go to ground before chipping it over him and into the goal. 

Leverkusen stay fourth, one point off Leipzig while Bremen remain second from bottom and five points off the relegation play-off place. Their poor finishing and leaky defence means they will really struggle for the rest of the season.