By Our Sports Reporter in Leverkusen
BAYER LEVERKUSEN blew St. Pauli away with a devastating 4-0 display at the BayArena, proving they are well and truly back in the hunt for the Champions League spots.
It was a Valentine’s Day massacre for the visitors from Hamburg, who had no answer for the pace, power, and clinical edge of Kasper Hjulmand’s men.
From the first whistle, Leverkusen looked like a team possessed, reclaiming fourth place in the Bundesliga in spectacular fashion.
The damage was done in a lightning-fast two-minute spell early in the first half.
After 13 minutes, the breakthrough arrived with a touch of fortune. Ernest Poku, who was a constant menace all afternoon, lofted a teasing ball into the mixer.
Liverpool loanee Jarell Quansah rose highest to thump a header against the crossbar, only for the ball to ricochet off the back of the unfortunate keeper Nikola Vasilj and into the net.
Before the “Kiezkicker” fans could even finish their groans, it was 2-0. Just 98 seconds later, Patrik Schick reminded everyone why he’s one of the deadliest finishers in the business.
After his initial effort was parried, Lucas Vázquez recycled the ball perfectly, hanging a cross to the back post for Schick to nod home his seventh of the campaign.
St. Pauli tried to mount a response through Jackson Irvine, but Leverkusen’s defense, led by the imperious Edmond Tapsoba, was a fortress.
Seven minutes after the restart, Tapsoba decided to show off his attacking prowess too.
The Burkina Faso star—who is currently the most productive center-back in Europe’s top five leagues—met Aleix García’s pinpoint corner with a thumping header to make it three. It was Tapsoba’s fourth league goal of a stellar season, and it effectively killed the contest.
The icing on the cake was saved for the 78th minute, and it was the pick of the bunch.
Ernest Poku, the undisputed Man of the Match, capped a world-class performance by cutting inside from the left and unleashing a rocket from 20 yards that flew into the top corner.
It was a goal worthy of any stage and left the St. Pauli bench staring at the turf in disbelief.
Leverkusen now head into their midweek Champions League clash against Olympiacos with their tails up and their sights firmly set on European glory. For St. Pauli, the relegation trapdoor is starting to look awfully close.
