Bayer Leverkusen secured their first win in the Bundesliga season with a commanding 3-0 victory over Hannover 96 on Saturday night. The result was all the more impressive given that the visitors had only managed to score once in their previous three games.
The match started brightly for Leverkusen, as they dominated possession and created several chances in the early stages. However, it was Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz who took the lead in the 22nd minute, slotting home from close range after being set up by a cross from the left wing.
The goal seemed to spark a surge of momentum for Leverkusen, who continued to dominate the game and create numerous further opportunities. In the 47th minute, Havertz was again involved in the action, this time finding the back of the net again following another well-placed cross from the right flank.
Havertz's second goal came just four minutes later, as he rounded the goalkeeper before firing past him from point-blank range. The third goal came in the dying moments of the half, as Havertz collected a loose ball on the edge of the box and slotted home a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Despite the impressive performance, it was clear that Leverkusen were not yet at their best. They struggled to maintain their high tempo throughout the match and were often caught out defensively. Nevertheless, the win was a significant one for the team, and will be a boost for their confidence ahead of what promises to be a challenging run-in to the end of the season.