Matthew Marshall, BayArena – Patrik Schick scored four second half goals as Bayer Leverkusen punished a pathetic Greuther Fürth side 7-1 at the BayArena. The win sees the Werkself consolidate their position in the top four while the visitors remain on target to become the worst team in Bundesliga history.

Bayer Leverkusen opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Jeremie Frimpong released Moussa Diaby, his cross finding Amine Adli who produced an acrobatic finish to beat Marius Funk at the far post.

Within two minutes Fürth had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out after a VAR intervention.

The Werkself soon extended their lead. It was a simple manoeuvre, Florian Wirtz’s free kick met by an unmarked Edmond Tapsoba who headed past Funk.

Greuther Fürth surprised many in the stadium when they pulled a goal back in the 33rd minute. Jamie Leweling’s cross came back to Jeremy Dudziak who fired a powerful shot in off the post.

The visitors fashioned another chance with Branimir Hrgota’s shot saved by Lukas Hradecky. It was their last shot on target.

Leverkusen extended their lead on the stroke of half time. Schick found Piero Hincapié inside the danger area, the Ecuadorian defender scoring his first Bundesliga goal after his shot squeezed past Funk.

There were ominous signs for Fürth at the start of the second half. Adli’s shot was tipped wide by Funk, Diaby firing wide from the resulting corner.

The visitors’ resistance didn’t last long. Adli’s cross found an unmarked Schick on the penalty spot and the Czech Republic striker made no mistake.

Gerardo Seoane made a triple substitution in the 62nd minute with Kerem Demirbay, Charles Aránguiz and Karim Bellarabi replacing Robert Andrich, Exequiel Palacios and Amine Adli.

Seven minutes later Leverkusen made 4-1. A simple 1-2 between Diaby and Wirtz saw the French winger race clear and set up Schick from close range. It signalled the start of a brutal spell where Schick scored three goals in seven minutes.

It was Wirtz and Diaby once again. Diaby had far too much pace for Sebastian Griesbeck, his cross falling to Karim Bellarabi whose shot came off the bar into the path of Schick who headed home.

The next goal was fashioned by Wirtz. He showed fantastic footwork to wriggle away from two defenders, bursting clear and releasing Schick who scored his fourth goal.

Schick came off to a standing ovation with Lucas Alario introduced, Frimpong making way for Edilon Kossounou. Demirbay hit the post but it was job done in a one-sided victory.