Leverkusen's nerves seemed to build as the game went on until Boniface, starting for the first time since early February, restored their lead with a close range tap-in on the 60-minute mark.

The BayArena played host to a high-stakes encounter as Leverkusen welcomed Bochum for a match crucial to both teams' season objectives. Xabi Alonso's men were looking to close the

Bundesliga champion Bayer Leverkusen beat Bochum 3-1 and narrowed the gap to leader Bayern Munich to three points on Friday. Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso could take particular satisfaction from the win after two debatable selections were involved in his team’s goals in a fine second-half display.