Jeremie Frimpong fired into an empty net in stoppage time to cap Bayer Leverkusen’s outstanding 3-0 win over Bayern Munich as they celebrated carnival weekend in the Rhineland by moving five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Josip Stanisic, the man on loan from Bayern, opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Alex Grimaldo doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half, but Frimpong added an exclamation mark after Manuel Neuer came up for a corner and Leverkusen broke to punish him.
Bayern had more of the ball but throughout the night it always felt as though Xabi Alonso’s side were the more dangerous, and this was a huge statement in their bid to win a first Bundesliga title and banish the nickname Vizekuzen – a mark of the five times they have finished runners-up.
The match at the BayArena kicked off eight minutes late after fans threw toy balls and other items onto the pitch as part of ongoing protests against the prospect of outside investment into the Bundesliga, and once play began it was Bayern who appeared to be on the front foot.
But while Leverkusen were happy to invite the visitors on to them, they were simply waiting for the moment to counter.
Their first shot at goal came in the 11th minute but Amine Adli’s effort lacked the power to trouble Neuer. Adli threatened again seven minutes later before Kim Min-jae got a foot in just in time, but Bayern were asleep from the resulting throw-in and were made to pay.
Robert Andrich drilled in a low ball across the face of goal and the Bayern defence stood still as Stanisic arrived to fire home, left all alone by Sacho Boey, usually a right-back but deployed on the left here in his second appearance since joining from Galatasaray last month.
Adli had a superb chance to get a second just before half-time as Granit Xhaka’s pin-point pass put him clean through on goal, but Dayot Upamecano recovered to get a toe on the ball, poking it back to Neuer.
It took only five minutes of the second half for the second to arrive. Grimaldo played a neat one-two with Nathan Tella to carve open the Bayern defence before beating Neuer at his near post with a rising shot.
Bayern were rocking, and there was chaos in their penalty area soon after, with Eric Dier’s cross hitting the arm of Leon Goretzka before bobbling back to Neuer, with a VAR check for handball coming to nothing.
Grimaldo hit the crossbar direct from a corner just after the hour as the ball dramatically dipped, but it bounced to safety.
Bayern tried to up the ante as Thomas Tuchel turned to his bench but struggled to create any real opportunities for a frustrated Harry Kane.
Instead, Leverkusen looked more likely to score again. Frimpong had already hit a post at the end of one late counter-attack, but had the final say after Neuer failed to get on the end of the corner and he raced down the pitch to fire into the unguarded net.
Walter dismissed as Hull coach after nine-game winless run
Tim Walter has been sacked as Hull City's head coach after just six months in charge at the MKM Stadium.
The German was appointed in May as successor to Liam Rosenior, who guided the Tigers to a seventh-place finish in the Championship last season.
However, Walter has been unable to build on that momentum, winning just three of his 17 league matches in charge.
Tuesday's home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday extended a nine-game winless streak for Hull, who occupy 22nd place in the table, and ultimately spelt the end for the 49-year-old.
"Hull City can confirm we have parted company with head coach Tim Walter with immediate effect," a statement on the club's website read. "Assistant head coaches Julian Hubner and Filip Tapalovic have also left the club.
"First-team coach Andy Dawson will take interim charge while the club conducts a thorough recruitment process for a permanent successor.
"We would like to thank Tim, Julian and Filip for their efforts during their time at the MKM Stadium and wish them well for the future."
Suarez signs new one-year contract extension with Inter Miami
Luis Suarez has put pen to paper on a new one-year contract extension with Inter Miami, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Suarez joined the Herons in December 2023, reuniting with former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The Uruguayan registered 37 goal involvements (25 goals, 12 assists) in 37 games in all competitions last season, helping Miami to their first Supporters' Shield title.
In the MLS, only D.C. United's Christian Benteke (23) scored more goals than Suarez (21, level with Messi and Denis Bouanga).
The Herons set a MLS regular-season points record of 74 but were defeated by Atlanta United in the first round of the play-offs.
"I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to enjoy being here with this fanbase, which for us is like family," Suarez said.
"We feel very, very connected with them, and hopefully, next year, we can bring them even more joy."
News of Suarez's new deal comes the day after Miami appointed his former Barcelona team-mate Javier Mascherano as head coach following the resignation of Gerardo Martino.
Yamal named 2024 Golden Boy after Spain and Barcelona success
Lamine Yamal has been named the 2024 Golden Boy winner following a memorable year with Barcelona and Spain.
The 17-year-old scoops the award given to the player voted Europe's best under the age of 21 by journalists across the continent's leading newspapers, including Tuttosport, The Times and L'Equipe.
Yamal played a starring role in Spain's Euro 2024 success, while he has consolidated his position in Barca's attack under Xavi and Hansi Flick - helping the Blaugrana to the LaLiga summit this season.
The winger, who will receive his trophy next month, beat the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Leny Yoro and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to the award.
It is the latest individual award Yamal has landed, having also scooped the Kopa Trophy at last month's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The teenager is the fourth Barca player to win the Golden Boy accolade, after Lionel Messi, Pedri and Gavi.
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