Goncalo Pacienca opened the scoring in the fourth minute and converted a penalty for handball in the 17th before Bas Dost completed the scoring 10 minutes from time.

"What we did in the first half was simply unbelievable. That was a lot of fun," Dost told DAZN streaming service.

"We had real problems in the second half but it was 3-0 in the end. We're happy."

Leverkusen stay on 14 points, slipping to eighth, and have been overtaken on goal difference by Frankfurt.

Two points separate them from leaders Borussia Moenchengladbach, who are at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Frankfurt keeper Frederik Roennow made a string of saves after the break to keep his side ahead as the visitors pressed forward.

Leverkusen also had a penalty overturned following a video review which showed the ball came off the face of Frankfurt's Gelson Fernandes rather than his arm.

Dost had a goal disallowed for offside in a swift counter-attack but the Dutch striker put the game beyond doubt when he bundled his way past two defenders and in falling was able to poke the ball over the line.

Leverkusen striker Kevin Volland said: "We were terrible the first 20 minutes. We have to let this sink in."

Australian Associated Press