Hernandez shines as Leverkusen beats Wolfsburg

Julian Brandt opened the scoring in the 27th minute, exchanging passes with Hakan Calhanoglu before sending a shot beyond visiting goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

Bayer Leverkusen striker Javier Hernandez

Bayer Leverkusen recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Wolfsburg on Friday to move up to fourth place in the Bundesliga.

Julian Brandt opened the scoring in the 27th minute, exchanging passes with Hakan Calhanoglu before sending a shot beyond visiting goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.

Sent on at the start of the second half after scoring in Mexico's World Cup qualifier last week, substitute Javier Hernandez doubled Leverkusen's advantage with his 15th Bundesliga goal of a highly productive season.

The 27-year-old, who had failed to find the net for his club in its last five fixtures, was allowed time outside the area to curl home a low, right-footed effort that left Benaglio rooted to the spot.

Hernandez then set up fellow substitute Vladlen Yurchenko to score Leverkusen's third in the 87th minute, meaning Wolfsburg is now winless in three Bundesliga matches heading into the first leg of its Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Leverkusen have won its past three league fixtures to sit fourth in the standings, albeit temporarily, as fifth-placed Schalke faces Ingolstadt on Saturday.