Kai Havertz demonstrated why Europe's top clubs are interested in his services after scoring twice to help Bayer Leverkusen secure a 4-1 win at Werder Bremen on Monday night.
Leverkusen went into the game only four points behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig after their fellow Champions League hopefuls' 1-1 draw with Freiburg on Saturday, when the Bundesliga became the first major league to resume during the coronavirus pandemic.
Leading his team to within a point of Leipzig, Havertz was the star of the show at an empty Weserstadion, scoring his 11th and 12th goals in all competitions this season, having netted 20 times last term.
Havertz, 20, has become one of the hottest properties in world football, with Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham all reported to be interested in the attacking midfielder. Monday night's performance will only increase any interest in the Germany international.
After a slow start to the game in an eery atmosphere similar to the weekend's matches, with all games being played behind closed doors, the encounter burst into life with three goals in five minutes.
The 20-year-old Havertz nodded Leverkusen into a 28th-minute lead, before Bremen right-back Theodor Gebre Selassie levelled on the half-hour mark.
But Havertz restored Leverkusen's advantage three minutes later with another header, from Kerem Demirbay's free-kick.
Peter Bosz's side wrapped up a comfortable victory with second-half goals from Mitchell Weiser and Demirbay.
It was Leverkusen's 10th win in 11 games, but their first since winning 3-1 at Rangers in the Europa League last-16 first leg on March 12.
The heavy defeat leaves Bremen stuck in the drop zone, five points adrift off the relegation play-off spot and nine from safety, albeit with a game in hand.
Bremen have spent only one season, the 1980-81 campaign, outside the top flight since the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963.
