Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 VfL Bochum: Schick hat-trick sees Xabi Alonso's side go into the winter break top of the league

Patrik Schick scored a hat-trick in the first half to lead Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-0 victory over VfL Bochum on Wednesday, sending them into the winter break with a four-point lead.

After a slow start, Leverkusen were unstoppable, scoring three times in 15 minutes to seal the game in the first half. The league will resume on January 12.

On the half-hour mark, the 27-year-old Czech forward drilled in a penalty, and then in the 32nd minute, he slotted in his second goal of the evening after a low cross into the box from Jeremie Frimpong.

In stoppage time, he completed his hat-trick by heading into an Alejandro Grimaldo corner.

In the 69th minute, substitute Victor Boniface scored their fourth goal.

Leverkusen finish the year with 42 points, four more than Bayern Munich, who have a game in hand. VfB Stuttgart are third with 34 points.

SportsLigue