Ernest Poku and Christian Kofane on target as Bayer Leverkusen beat Union Berlin

Bayer Leverkusen secured back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign after they earned a 2-0 Bundesliga victory over Union Berlin at the BayArena.

Kasper Hjulmand recorded his third win from his last four since taking over as Leverkusen boss and watched as his side moved up three places to fourth in the table.

The home side were made to work for their opener but Ernest Poku broke the deadlock before the break, while Christian Kofane capitalised on a Frederik Ronnow mistake in the second half which ultimately sealed the points.

The visitors forced Mark Flekken into his first save of the contest in the 10th minute. Woo-yeong Jeong decided to have a crack outside the box but it was easy pickings for the Leverkusen goalkeeper.

The hosts were limited to just half-chances. Lucas Vazquez set up Alejandro Grimaldo but the latter was unable to find the target from distance before Kofane smashed an effort wide from a tight angle.

But the hosts hit the front with their first shot on target, just after the half-hour mark.

Aleix Garcia picked out Vazquez on the right and he was able to deliver a cross into Poku, who arrowed it goalwards but Ronnow could not get enough on it to stop the ball from rolling over the line.

Leverkusen’s confidence was brimming following the opener and Grimaldo saw a free-kick fly over the crossbar before the half-time interval.

The hosts doubled their lead just four minutes after the break thanks to a Ronnow mistake.

The Union Berlin goalkeeper had the ball at his feet but he was chased down by Kofane, who intercepted his pass, rounded the stopper and slotted into an empty goal to give Leverkusen breathing space.

The hosts showed no mercy and went in search for more but they were denied by the woodwork when Ibrahim Maza’s effort rattled off the right post.

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