Kai Havertz grabbed another double as Bayer Leverkusen leapfrogged Borussia Monchengladbach to go third in the Bundesliga with a 3-1 win at Borussia-Park.

Havertz enhanced his reputation further amid talk over a big-money move to the Premier League by scoring twice in a 4-1 thumping of Werder Bremen last weekend when the Bundesliga resumed.

The 20-year-old starred again on Saturday, helping himself to a goal in each half as Leverkusen stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions.

Forward Havertz opened the scoring early on and struck again with a contentious penalty to take his tally for the season to 14 after Marcus Thuram equalised early in the second half.

Sven Bender's header made sure of the points for Peter Bosz's impressive side in a game played behind closed doors, with Gladbach supporters probably glad to it was cardboard cutouts rather than actual fans watching on in the stands.

Havertz wasted no time in making his mark, taking a nicely weighted pass from Karim Bellarabi and sliding home to round off a swift break and make Gladbach pay for giving the ball away cheaply just seven minutes in.

Breel Embolo was replaced by Lars Stindl after taking a kick on the leg before Yann Sommer spared Gladbach further pain when he denied the lively Bellarabi.

Lukas Hradecky had been little more than a spectator at the other end, but he breathed a sigh of relief after getting away with failing to hold a Florian Neuhaus drive five minutes before the break.

Leverkusen should have doubled their lead just prior to the interval, when Havertz's left-footed effort struck the crossbar and Kerem Demirbay's follow-up effort was blocked by Nico Elvedi with the goal gaping.

Thuram levelled seven minutes into the second with a clinical right-footed finish after he was played in by Alassane Plea and he ought to have put Leverkusen in front soon after too, but was thwarted by Hradecky after racing through.

It was Havertz who was celebrating a brace soon after, though, slotting just to Sommer's right from the spot after Elvedi was somewhat harshly adjudged to have fouled Bellarabi when he was in the process of firing wide.

Leverkusen had breathing space when Bender rose to node home Demirbay's free-kick nine minutes from time, with Plea and Oscar Wendt spurning late chances as Gladbach's Champions League hopes suffered a blow.

 

What does it mean? Top two must take note

While either Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will be expected to win the title, Leverkusen have maintained their outstanding form since the resumption of the season and cannot be discounted with seven games to play.

Mature Havertz living up to the hype

Havertz was again likened to Michael Ballack this week and he produced another majestic performance in an entertaining encounter, which had a lot riding on it.

The youngster played with a swagger, twice showing his finishing prowess and was only denied a hat-trick by the crossbar. Leverkusen were a joy to watch, swift on the break and fully deserving of maximum points with Havertz living up to the hype once again.

Mixed afternoon for Elvedi

Gladbach were indebted to Elvedi when he somehow blocked Demirbay's shot from close range late in the first half. It was a different story for the defender after the interval, though, as he was deemed to have caught Bellarabi sliding in attempting to block his shot.

Eyebrows were raised when a penalty was awarded and there was more misery for Elvedi when he failed to stop Bender from heading home Leverkusen's third.

What's next?

Leverkusen will look to maintain their momentum at home to Wolfsburg on Tuesday, while Gladbach travel to face Werder Bremen on the same evening.