Augsburg 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Palacios' last-minute goal keeps Leverkusen clear at the top.

Exequiel Palacios scored a stoppage-time goal to give Bayer Leverkusen a dramatic 1-0 win over Augsburg on Saturday, keeping them top of the Bundesliga by four points.

Despite Leverkusen hitting the woodwork and missing several chances, the game was heading for a goalless draw until Argentina international Palacios stabbed home from close range to lift his team to 45 points halfway through the season.

Champions Bayern Munich, who defeated Hoffenheim 3-0 on Friday, are second on 41 points with one game in hand.

Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen team, who are unbeaten in 26 matches across all competitions this season, had the upper hand from the start but could only hit the post with Alejandro Grimaldo's left-foot shot in the 28th minute.

Finn Dahmen, Augsburg's goalkeeper, did well to deny Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick.

Grimaldo was also denied by Dahmen in the first half, and Leverkusen clearly missed Victor Boniface's offensive power.

The Nigerian, Leverkusen's top scorer this season, was injured last week while preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations and will be sidelined until at least April following adductor muscle surgery.

After the break, the visitors created chances for Jeremie Frimpong and Jonas Hofmann, while Augsburg, which had no shots on goal in the first half, threatened twice.

Palacios broke the deadlock seconds before the final whistle, taking advantage of confusion in the box.

SportsLigue