Harry Kane and Bayern Munich hopes dashed as Bayer Leverkusen ...

Xabi Alonso has done it again, remaining unbeaten in a staggering 39 games in all competitions with a late turnaround against Hoffenheim.

Celebrating his announcement to stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season, Alonso’s Bundesliga leaders were a goal down against Hoffenheim with two minutes to play, but still came away with three points.

2

Robert Andrich equalised in the 88th minute to keep the team’s invincible charge on track, and then Patrik Schick secured a 2-1 victory in the first minute of stoppage time.

The result comes just a day after Alonso confirmed he will stay at Leverkusen next season, dashing the hopes of suitors Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

The 42-year-old was given a rousing standing ovation at full-time, overjoyed with their manager who has them on the brink of their first title, having previously finished runners-up on five occasions.

In his first full season in senior management, the Spaniard is now tantalisingly close to clinching Leverkusen’s first-ever Bundesliga title.

The team are also on course in Europe and in the DFB Cup, the latter of which they only have to beat lower league opposition in the semi-finals.

The result leaves Leverkusen 13 points clear of Bayern Munich with seven games to play, and it now looks very likely they’ll become champions in April.

And they were then handed a huge boost when Bayern lost 2-0 to Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena.

It means that Leverkusen now need to pick up just nine points to win the league.

2

Such an extraordinary season has seen Alonso become the most sought-after coach in Europe, and the noise around him had reached fever-pitch.

With Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool and Thomas Tuchel on his way out at Bayern Munich, it looked like his former teams would be battling for his signature.

However, Alonso ended those hopes ahead of the match, saying: “We’ve had a lot of speculation regarding my future. We’ve had a lot of games, been pretty busy, pretty focused, and I wanted to use the international break and reflect and take a decision.

"Last week I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes, sporting director] and Fernando [Carro, CEO] and informed them of my decision to continue as coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

"It’s the right place for me to be, to develop as a coach. The fans showed great support this year. They have all the reasons to believe and dream we can have a great season.

"The players gave me so many reasons to keep believing in the team. My job is not over here."