Bayer Leverkusen has clinched a remarkable Bundesliga title with a commanding 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, extending their unbeaten streak to 43 games, including a record 29 in the league.
Unlike West Ham, the Germans appeared to be completely unaffected by Thursday night’s Europa League quarterfinal as they romped to victory.
This triumph secures Leverkusen a commanding 16-point lead at the top of the table, effectively ending Bayern Munich’s attempt to secure a 12th consecutive league title. Although Bayern prolonged the title race by one more day with their win over Köln on Saturday, Xabi Alonso’s team sealed the championship with five games remaining by triumphing at the BayArena. Their victory featured a penalty from Victor Boniface, a stunning second-half goal by Granit Xhaka, and a hat-trick from Florian Wirtz.
Xabi Alonso celebrates Leverkusen’s Bundesliga win
It puts Alonso’s team on course for a remarkable treble in his first full season as Leverkusen’s manager. West Ham are set for the second leg of the quarterfinal but must overcome a 2-0 deficit.
Speaking after today’s defeat to Fulham, Moyes said of Thursday’s opponents, “It’s a quick turnaround, but it’s not as quick a turnaround as Thursday to Sunday. When it is Sunday to Thursday, you have an extra day or two to get yourself ready, and it’s a little bit easier to prepare for that game, while the other gives you no time at all. We will get ready for the game on Thursday night now, and hopefully, we can respond in the right way.”