Bayer Leverkusen achieved a new German record of 33 consecutive games without a defeat following an exciting Bundesliga win against Mainz.
Xabi Alonso’s team now holds an 11-point lead over Bayern Munich, who sit in second place in the league standings.
Granit Xhaka opened the scoring for Leverkusen in the third minute, while Dominik Kohr equalized for the visitors with a header.
Robert Andrich secured the victory for Leverkusen with a long-range shot that was inadvertently deflected into the net by Mainz goalkeeper Robin Zentner.
Mainz’s chances of mounting a comeback were dealt a blow when Jessic Ngankam received a straight red card for a challenge on Xhaka, leaving them a player short for the final 10 minutes.
Xhaka’s impressive left-footed strike marked his first goal for Leverkusen and his first in the Bundesliga since 2015.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, who recently announced the departure of manager Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season, are scheduled to face RB Leipzig at Allianz Arena on Saturday.