Bundesliga

Leverkusen extend lead with Frankfurt thrashing

22:30 GMT, Fri 6 Nov 2009
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Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender celebrates a goal against Eintracht Frankfurt during their German Bundesliga soccer match in Leverkusen November 6, 2009. Leverkusen won the match 4-0. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender (GERMANY SPORT SOCCER) ONLINE CLIENTS MAY USE UP TO SIX IMAGES DURING EACH MATCH WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE DFL. NO MOBILE USE DURING THE MATCH AND FOR A FURTHER TWO HOURS AFTERWARDS IS PERMITTED WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE DFL. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY

BERLIN, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Bayer Leverkusen crushed Eintracht Frankfurt 4-0 with three goals in the first 11 minutes to take a four-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga on Friday.

Unbeaten Leverkusen, now with 26 points, boast a clear lead over Werder Bremen who host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday when third-placed Hamburg SV, also on 22 points, visit Hanover 96.

Leverkusen set a blistering pace in the weekend's first game, scoring in the second minute when Bundesliga top marksman Stefan Kiessling, recalled to the Germany squad, volleyed in from close range after Frankfurt failed to clear in the box.

Despite missing captain Simon Rolfes and striker Patrick Helmes, the hosts dominated the match and before the visitors could recover from the early setback Stefan Reinartz had doubled the lead in the sixth minute with a near-post header.

In-form midfielder Toni Kroos, on loan from Bayern Munich, made it 3-0 with a stinging shot from the edge of the box five minutes later with ex-Leverkusen coach Michael Skibbe quietly looking on as his Frankfurt side were given a drubbing.

Kiessling, battling for a Germany spot ahead of next year's World Cup, could have added to his tally of eight goals this season early in the second half but fired just over the bar.

Leverkusen frustrated Frankfurt, keeping them pinned in their own half, but had to wait until the 86th for substitute Lars Bender to complete the rout with a fine solo effort.

"The team is learning fast," Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes told reporters. "(Last week) in Schalke we squandered a comfortable lead (to draw 2-2). Today, after an excellent first half, the team played clever football."

Fourth-placed Schalke 04, who have 21 points, visit Bayern Munich (19), who are sixth, on Saturday.

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