Boniface scores winning goal as Leverkusen defeats Leipzig to go top of Bundesliga table

Victor Boniface’s 72nd-minute goal proved decisive as Bayer Leverkusen edged Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at home.

Despite missing an earlier penalty, the Nigerian forward redeemed himself to secure the win.

Frankfurt took the lead early with Omar Marmoush’s penalty, but Leverkusen equalized through Robert Andrich midway through the first half.

After a missed opportunity from the spot, Boniface found redemption with a well-timed header to complete the comeback.

Meanwhile, RB Leipzig claimed a 2-0 victory over Mainz to move to the top of the Bundesliga table.

Just five minutes later, the referee was sent to the video screen again, this time finding a penalty for Frankfurt, with Andrich lightly touching Marmoush’s foot.

Marmoush showed Boniface how it is done, blasting a low shot left to give the visitors the lead on 16 minutes. The Egyptian now has an incredible nine goals and five assists in just seven league games this season.

Andrich made good on his error soon afterwards, combining expertly with Adli and Martin Terrier to flit through the penalty area for a superb one-touch goal in the 25th minute.

Boniface would also redeem himself, giving Leverkusen the lead inside the final 20 minutes, heading in a deflected cross from substitute Florian Wirtz to put the hosts on course for victory.

Days out from their home Champions League clash with Liverpool, Leipzig beat Mainz to go top of the table, at least until Bayern Munich’s home match against Stuttgart later on Saturday.

At kick-off, the Mainz fans unveiled a series of banners critical of former coach Jurgen Klopp’s decision to take over as football boss at Leipzig’s parent company Red Bull.

The home fans asked “Are you crazy?” and accused Klopp, who coached Mainz to a debut promotion before joining Borussia Dortmund and later Liverpool, of “forgetting everything we gave you”.

Still unbeaten this season in Germany despite two Champions League losses, Leipzig hit the lead after 20 minutes thanks to an excellent solo effort from Xavi Simons.

Leipzig captain Willi Orban tapped in a rebound from a Lois Openda cross to put his side 2-0 up.