Schuhen dives full stretch to keep out debutant Tella. Hofmann has the entire goal to aim for on the follow-up, but sends his shot into the side netting!

Die Werkself are running riot! It's really well worked again as Tah advances into Darmstadt territory and shifts a pass out to Mbamba on the right. His low cross is weighted to perfection, with Hlozek expertly touching it home from close range. Brilliant play by the two substitutes.

Mbamba, 18, makes his second appearance for Leverkusen. Hlozek's also on, with influential duo Xhaka and Wirtz given a breather with 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining.

Boniface stays just onside as he receives a long ball out from the Leverkusen defence. He goes into the box and winds up to shoot, only for Klarer to steam in with a superb sliding challenge.

Tella gets straight to work on the right-hand side. He could shoot as he waltzes inside, but opts to drop it off for Boniface, who lifts a shot over the bar.

Leverkusen respond to a pair of Darmstadt fresh legs by introducing new signings Nathan Tella and Josip Stanisic.

Lights out for Darmstadt now! It's another slick Leverkusen move with Wirtz collecting the ball in a central area and swiftly helping it on to Boniface on the left-hand side of the Darmstadt area. He opts against turning towards goal and instead rolls a pass into the feet of Hofmann. The Germany man takes a touch to set himself, before driving low and hard into the corner to bring up his first Bundesliga goal for his new club. Exquisite football!

Palacios, who is on a booking, is replaced by Andrich in a like-for-like change in the Bayer midfield.

It's that Wirtz-Boniface combination again for Bayer. The Nigerian receives another brilliantly weighted pass, outfoxes his marker and wellies one into the side netting from a tight angle. Hat-trick, anyone?

Daylight for Leverkusen, who crown a slick attacking move with their third goal of the afternoon. Hofmann injects a bit of pace into proceedings as the ball is worked towards Wirtz. He nonchalantly looks up and slips in Boniface, who takes it away from his man and finishes across Schuhen on his left foot. A real lesson in finishing - superb stuff!

Wirtz selflessly lays off Palacios's pass for Boniface, who loses his footing in the penalty box as he tries to turn his marker. Darmstadt need to weather this storm. Otherwise Bayer could run away with it...

Talk about perfect start! Hofmann feeds Frimpong, who is too quick for Isherwood. He bides his time before clipping a pass back towards the edge of the D for Palacios. It's not a clean hit, but two deflections take the ball past Schuhen's despairing dive and into the bottom corner.

Leverkusen start as they mean to go on as Wirtz slips a pass into the channel for Palacios. There are men in the middle, but the World Cup winner's cut-back is blocked behind for a corner that comes to nothing.

Leverkusen swarm in and around the Darmstadt area. Some lovely one-touch stuff creates an opening for Frimpong, who shows great close control with his back to goal. For a moment, it looks like a shot on the turn is on for the Bayer wing-back, but he opts to lay the ball off and the chance is gone.

Wirtz wins a free-kick that comes to nothing. He gets it back, though, before warming the palms of Schuhen with a shot from range. Just glimpses from the Bayer talent so far, in what's been a frustrating first half in the final third for Alonso's men.

Leverkusen have monopolised possession since conceding the equaliser. They're camped in the Darmstadt half as Hofmann makes Schuhen work with a curling strike from 18 yards.

Leverkusen come again as Hofmann rolls a pass into the feet of Xhaka on the edge of the Darmstadt area. He hits it first time with his right foot, forcing a strong diving save from Schuhen.

Wirtz threads an outrageous pass between Darmstadt's left-sided defenders for Frimpong. The Dutchman controls well, but sends his shot just wide of the far post.

Xhaka catches Pfeiffer, the Bayer summer signing following central midfield partner Palacios into the book. Those two will have to watch their step...

Holland collides with Nürnberger following a Darmstadt corner, allowing Frimpong to release Boniface. He runs from halfway, jinking past two opposition players before clipping an exquisite finish over the advancing Schuhen. That's three goals and two assists in three Bundesliga games for the Nigerian.

Frimpong takes aim from a central position on the eddge of the Darmstadt area, but doesn't catch it cleanly and that's a routine save for Schuhen.

Jonas Hofmann's making his presence felt on the right-hand side of the Leverkusen attack. The Germany international sends over another cross that's put behind for a corner. Hofmann takes, with a white shirt getting in the way of Tah's attempted header.

Grimaldo's back on his feet and moving freely. Leverkusen are back on the attack. Solid start by the hosts.

Grimaldo's receiving treatment after a clash of heads and awkward landing when contesting a teasing Hofmann cross...