Boniface scores as Leverkusen continue unbeaten season with 5 -1 win at Frankfurt

Victor Boniface was on the score sheet as Bayer Leverkusen stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions this season to a whopping 48 games thanks to a 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, ending their five-match losing run in away head-to-heads in the process.

With the league title in the bag, one foot in the UEFA Europa League final and a DFB-Pokal final on the horizon, things couldn’t be going much better for Leverkusen at the moment.

However, given the prospect of an unbeaten league season is still on the cards, there was never likely to be let-up in performance levels, and Leverkusen showed as much inside 15 minutes when Granit Xhaka thundered home from the edge of the area to fire them into an early lead.

Their advantage should have been doubled moments later, too, when Jonas Hofmann unselfishly squared for Exequiel Palacios, but a last-ditch Willian Pacho block kept Frankfurt in the game.

That proved to be a crucial stop as, shortly after the half-hour mark, a short-corner routine ended with Hugo Ekitike steering home Fares Chaibi’s measured delivery in what was Die Adler’s first meaningful attack of the game.

The hosts’ leveller seemed to change the match’s momentum, with Frankfurt in the ascendancy as HT approached, and Omar Marmoush wasted a fantastic opportunity despite being one-on-one with Lukas Hradecky, incredulously blasting his effort into orbit when in acres of space.

READ ALSO:

• Missing Delta varsity female student found dead, two suspects arrested
• NAF airstrikes kill scores of terrorists in Borno, Niger enclaves
• Edo 2024: Muslims demand fair representation in govt

His miss proved costly moments when, on the stroke of half time, Patrik Schick powered home Adam Hlozek’s delivery at the back post.

Only a goal down, Frankfurt were still in the encounter, but they self-imploded shortly after the restart when a moment of madness from Niels Nkounkou saw him pull Nathan Tella’s shirt inside the area. A penalty was duly awarded and, having been denied earlier, Palacios scored to leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.

That became an insurmountable ascent a little under 15 minutes from time when a lightning-quick Leverkusen counter culminated with Hofmann laying the ball on a plate for substitute Jeremie Frimpong to tap home Die Werkself’s fourth.

Damage limitation was all that was left for Frankfurt, but they were unsuccessful in doing so. Ansgar Knauff caught Frimpong in the area, and after a swift VAR check, a penalty was awarded.

Victor Boniface fired home to round off the scoring and leave Frankfurt knowing they still need a win from their remaining two games to mathematically secure a top-six finish.

As for the juggernaut that is Leverkusen, they’re showing no sign of slowing up and even with boss Xabi Alonso in the stands, displayed yet another dominant performance.

They are now level with Benfica’s 59-year European record for the longest unbeaten run in all competitions, and they can write another piece of history against Roma on Thursday.

Boniface scores as Leverkusen continue unbeaten season with 5 -1 win at Frankfurt

Chelsea thrash West Ham to stay on track for Europe

Chelsea strengthened their chances of securing European football next season, cruising to victory against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.

It took just 15 minutes for The Blues to get their noses in front with Cole Palmer reacting quickest to meet a loose ball in the West Ham box.

West Ham almost hit back immediately when Jarrod Bowen’s header crashed back off the crossbar, but it was one-way traffic from then on.

READ ALSO:

• Poor power supply: Your cup is full, IPOB tells Enugu DisCo
• Nigerian soldier accused of sleeping with colleague’s wife dismissed
• Just in: List of ex-governors under probe over N2.187tn fraud fabricated, says EFCC

The Blues doubled their lead on the half-hour mark through Conor Gallagher before Noni Madueke headed in the third six minutes later.

Nicolas Jackson struck twice in the second half to round off a wholly positive afternoon for the Blues.

With just three games left to play, Chelsea’s season seems to be heading for a strong finish as they have climbed up to seventh and sit just two points shy of sixth-placed Newcastle, while West Ham, who have two games remaining, stay ninth.

Chelsea thrash West Ham to stay on track for Europe

Tyson Fury arrives S’Arabia for Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight title fight (photos/video)

WBC Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has landed in Saudi Arabia ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury takes on bitter rival Usyk in a heavyweight division unifier on May 18 in the Middle East.

Tyson Fury

He touched down in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, May 4,  with a massive entourage featuring his family, friends and trainer SugarHill Steward.Fury and Co looked thrilled as they posed for photos in Riyadh.

Tyson Fury lands in Saudi Arabia with huge entourage

The group were presented with incredible bouquets of flowers and given hot drinks after a seven-hour flight from the UK.

Neither fighter has tasted defeat in their respective careers meaning fans would have a good time in what is going to be the fight of the century.

Fury has had three months to recover after pulling out of the original February 17 fight with an eye injury.