Bayer Leverkusen have thrashed Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga after dominating the game from start to finish.

It was a scrappy start to the game with several fouls but few chances inside the opening 10 minutes, before the visitors started to take control.

Simon Rolfes should have scored on 11 minutes after meeting a Sidney Sam cross, but put his left-footed effort from close range wide.

They did not have to wait long to break the deadlock, however, as Sam found Robbie Kruse from a swift counter-attack and he made no mistake with his low finish.

Leverkusen continued their assault on the Mainz goal and with just over five minutes of the half left doubled their advantage. Rolfes found Lars Bender in the box and he slotted the ball in.

There was still time for one more goal before the break. Rolfes again was the provider as Kruse bagged his second.

© AFP

The scoring was showing no sign of stopping as 15 minutes into the second half Stefan Kiessling headed his side's fourth, with Rolfes picking up assist number three.

Mainz came forward looking for a consolation goal but Sebastian Polter, who was well positioned, was unable to hit the target.

They did manage a goal in the end through Mali Yunus, but by then they had been well and truly beaten.