The 24-year-old was stood down from training last week as he explored a transfer to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi side Al-Nassr. The deal fell through on Wednesday and Boniface was given a surprise start by coach Xabi Alonso.

Boniface, who had not played for Leverkusen since injuring his thigh on international duty with Nigeria in November, opened the scoring after 15 minutes.

Collecting a ball from Alex Grimaldo to the right of goal, Boniface blasted a powerful left-foot shot through the hands of visiting goalie Luca Philipp.

Just four minutes later, Jeremie Frimpong doubled Leverkusen's lead. The Dutchman flew down the right flank, took one touch and superbly found the far corner.

Leverkusen looked set to stretch their lead in the 24th minute when Nathan Tella was felled in the box, but the decision was overturned by VAR.

The referee explained the decision over stadium speakers, a Bundesliga first, as part of a test program introduced this matchday.

Boniface made way for Patrik Schick at half-time and the Czech striker scored six minutes later, slamming in a rebound after some clever work from Aston Villa loanee Emi Buendia, on his Leverkusen debut.

Schick has 14 goals in his past 10 league games.

Leverkusen, who have given up a league-high 13 points from winning situations this season, were made to sweat when they lost Alejandro Grimaldo to a second yellow and conceded to Gift Orban inside two minutes.

Alonso's men however held on. They are six points behind leaders Bayern, who visit Leverkusen's BayArena in two weeks.