Bayer Leverkusen climbed to fourth place in the Bundesliga after a commanding 4-0 win over relegation-threatened St. Pauli.
Jarell Quansah and Patrik Schick struck early on at the BayArena, before second-half efforts from Edmond Tapsoba and Ernest Poku completed the rout.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, when Quansah headed home Poku's dangerous cross via the underside of the crossbar.
It was 2-0 just 98 seconds later with Schick, who was initially denied by St. Pauli goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, nodding in from Lucas Vazquez's centre.
Leverkusen stretched their lead seven minutes into the second half, as Aleix Garcia's corner was headed in by Tapsoba.
Substitute Christian Kofane went close before Poku added a fourth 12 minutes from time, cutting inside on his left foot before beating Vasilj with a superb long-range strike.
6 – Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba has been directly involved in six goals (4 goals, 2 assists) in this Bundesliga season – the best record of any centre-back in the big five European leagues in 2025-26. Step-up. pic.twitter.com/sBOkyUSnMn
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 14, 2026
Data Debrief: Schick ends barren spell
Leverkusen extended their unbeaten Bundesliga record against St. Pauli to eight matches, the most they have faced a side in the division this century without losing.
Meanwhile, Schick ended a run of four league games without a direct goal involvement by scoring his third goal in four matches against St. Pauli.
Scoring Leverkusen's third, Tapsoba has now been directly involved in six goals (four goals, two assists) in this Bundesliga season – the best record of any centre-back in the big five European leagues in 2025-26.
As for the visitors, they suffered their ninth away defeat of the season, more than any other Bundesliga side. They only had one shot fewer than Leverkusen (11 to 12), but generated a mere 0.49 expected goals to the hosts' 1.4 xG.