Leverkusen beat Frankfurt 3-1 in Hjulmand debut

Bayer Leverkusen ended a turbulent start to the season with a 3-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, Kasper Hjulmand's first match in charge at the BayArena. Alejandro Grimaldo's two sublime free kicks and a first-half penalty from Patrik Schick secured the points for Leverkusen, who held on despite finishing the game with nine men after two late red cards. Can Uzun scored Frankfurt's only goal in the second half.

Leverkusen took the lead in the 10th minute when Grimaldo curled a 25-yard free kick that struck the post and rebounded in off goalkeeper Michael Zetterer. The home side doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time after Nathan Tella was fouled in the box by captain Robin Koch and Schick converted the spot kick. Frankfurt reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute when 19-year-old Uzun's deflected effort found the net, but Leverkusen repelled the visitors' growing pressure and Grimaldo capped the win with a late free kick in the eighth minute of added time.

The match was physical and fractious. Robert Andrich was shown a second yellow card in the 59th minute for a challenge on Ritsu Dōan, leaving Leverkusen with ten men, and substitute Ezequiel Fernández...