Bayer Leverkusen capitalized on Bayern Munich’s slip-up to go 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table with a 2-0 win over Cologne.
Xabi Alonso made a few changes to his squad but kept the core of the team from their previous win against Mainz.
The match took a turn in the 13th minute when Cologne’s Jan Thielmann was sent off for a challenge on Granit Xhaka, leaving Cologne with 10 men.
Leverkusen took advantage of the extra player, with Jeremie Frimpong scoring from an Alejandro Grimaldo cross.
In the second half, Leverkusen continued to dominate, and Grimaldo doubled their lead in the 73rd minute.
With the win, Leverkusen moved 10 points clear of Bayern Munich with 10 games remaining in the season, putting them in a strong position to secure the Bundesliga title.
Meanwhile, Cologne remains eight points away from safety and faces a tough challenge in their next match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
If Leverkusen maintain form, they could secure the title at home against VfB Stuttgart on matchday 31.