A volley from right-back Antonio Valencia and an own goal from Leverkusen centre-back Emir Spahic gave United a commanding early lead before defender Jonny Evans added a third with an hour gone.
England defender Chris Smalling added their fourth on 77 minutes after he met Wayne Rooney’s chip at the back post. Nani then latched on to a Ryan Giggs long ball for a fine solo goal for the fifth on 88 minutes with the Leverkusen defence in tatters.
England’s Rooney proved he can create as well as finish as he had a hand in the first four goals in an outstanding performance. It was his cross which Valencia converted and his free-kick which Spahic headed into his own net.
His shot led to Evans’ goal and his deft chip beat Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno and found Smalling unmarked for the fourth. The result keeps David Moyes’ United top of Group A and three points ahead of second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, who United host at Old Trafford in a fortnight.
Shakhtar Donetsk boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage as their Brazilian flare helped them outclass an eliminated Real Sociedad 4-0 in Group A on Wednesday.
Having offered little resistance against United, Leverkusen now need to win at Real Sociedad in their final game, and hope United beat Donetsk, to reach the last 16.
Gareth Bale scored a marvellous free-kick as 10-man Real Madrid eased into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Madrid had to play just under three quarters of the game with a man less after Sergio Ramos was shown a red card for dragging back Umut Bulut as he broke clear on goal.
Bale then opened the scoring with his fifth goal in six games, but Bulut equalised for the Turkish champions just a minute later. Alvaro Arbeloa restored Real’s lead just after the break and the full-back then teed up Angel di Maria to make the points safe 12 minutes later.
And Isco rounded off the scoring with a wonderful piece of skill as he left Selcuk Inan on the floor before side-footing the ball home. Victory seals Madrid’s place in the last 16 as group winners, whilst Galatasaray will have to beat Juventus at home on matchday six if they are to qualify.
Arturo Vidal scored a hat-trick, including two from the penalty spot, as Juventus relaunched their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with a rousing 3-1 win over Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as winners of Group C after beating Olympiakos 2-1 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
PSG only needed a draw to secure top spot in the section and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave them a dream start, opening the scoring inside seven minutes.
City win 4-2 at home, Bayern seal perfect 10 record
LONDON: Manchester City kept up the pressure on Bayern Munich at the top of Champions League Group D with a 4-2 victory over Viktoria Plzen at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Sergio Aguero converted a penalty, as Eden Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo scored for the hosts. Tomas Horava’s spectacular strike and Stanislav Tecl’s goal saw Plzen equalise twice but it wasn’t enough for the visitors. Bayern Munich closed in on top spot of Group D thrashing CSKA 3-1 in Russia. The result marked their 10th successive win in European competitions.
England defender Chris Smalling added their fourth on 77 minutes after he met Wayne Rooney’s chip at the back post. Nani then latched on to a Ryan Giggs long ball for a fine solo goal for the fifth on 88 minutes with the Leverkusen defence in tatters.
England’s Rooney proved he can create as well as finish as he had a hand in the first four goals in an outstanding performance. It was his cross which Valencia converted and his free-kick which Spahic headed into his own net.
His shot led to Evans’ goal and his deft chip beat Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Bernd Leno and found Smalling unmarked for the fourth. The result keeps David Moyes’ United top of Group A and three points ahead of second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, who United host at Old Trafford in a fortnight.
Shakhtar Donetsk boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stage as their Brazilian flare helped them outclass an eliminated Real Sociedad 4-0 in Group A on Wednesday.
Having offered little resistance against United, Leverkusen now need to win at Real Sociedad in their final game, and hope United beat Donetsk, to reach the last 16.
Gareth Bale scored a marvellous free-kick as 10-man Real Madrid eased into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 4-1 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Madrid had to play just under three quarters of the game with a man less after Sergio Ramos was shown a red card for dragging back Umut Bulut as he broke clear on goal.
Bale then opened the scoring with his fifth goal in six games, but Bulut equalised for the Turkish champions just a minute later. Alvaro Arbeloa restored Real’s lead just after the break and the full-back then teed up Angel di Maria to make the points safe 12 minutes later.
And Isco rounded off the scoring with a wonderful piece of skill as he left Selcuk Inan on the floor before side-footing the ball home. Victory seals Madrid’s place in the last 16 as group winners, whilst Galatasaray will have to beat Juventus at home on matchday six if they are to qualify.
Arturo Vidal scored a hat-trick, including two from the penalty spot, as Juventus relaunched their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League with a rousing 3-1 win over Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League as winners of Group C after beating Olympiakos 2-1 at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
PSG only needed a draw to secure top spot in the section and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave them a dream start, opening the scoring inside seven minutes.
City win 4-2 at home, Bayern seal perfect 10 record
LONDON: Manchester City kept up the pressure on Bayern Munich at the top of Champions League Group D with a 4-2 victory over Viktoria Plzen at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Sergio Aguero converted a penalty, as Eden Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo scored for the hosts. Tomas Horava’s spectacular strike and Stanislav Tecl’s goal saw Plzen equalise twice but it wasn’t enough for the visitors. Bayern Munich closed in on top spot of Group D thrashing CSKA 3-1 in Russia. The result marked their 10th successive win in European competitions.