RB Leipzig 2 - 1 Schalke 04: Leipzig return to top by seeing off Schalke - 7M sport

RB Leipzig 2 - 1 Schalke 04: Leipzig return to top by seeing off Schalke



Posted Sunday, December 04, 2016 by PA

Leipzig moved back to the top of the Bundesliga by beating Schalke 2-1 to extend their unbeaten start to their first season in Germany's top flight to 13 matches.

Timo Werner gave them the lead in the second minute from the penalty spot, but Sead Kolasinac levelled for the Royal Blues, who went into the game unbeaten in seven games.

But Kolasinac put through his own net two minutes into the second half and the hosts held on to move three points clear of Bayern Munich.

The first talking point of the game came just 30 seconds in when Werner sent the ball past Ralf Fahrmann and then went to ground as he passed the Schalke goalkeeper, the referee pointing to the spot.

Fahrmann's and Schalke's protests were waved away and Werner picked himself up to dispatch the spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner.

The discussion continued for a few minutes on the touchline as the referee explained his decision to Schalke coach Markus Weinzierl and, when play resumed, Leipzig were straight back on the attack.

Yussuf Poulsen got three bites of the cherry, but could only shoot against the outside of the right-hand post with his final attempt as Schalke survived.

Leipzig's dynamic attacking football continued to threaten further goals, as Werner and Poulsen, supported by Marcel Sabitzer and Emil Forsberg, caused plenty of problems for the visitors.

A weak Forsberg shot gave Fahrmann some more work to do on the half-hour mark before Schalke created their first chance of the game, with Alessandro Schopf denied from a tight angle by Peter Gulacsi.

There was little Gulacsi could do to prevent Kolasinac from bringing the Royal Blues level moments later, though. The ball fell to the Schalke defender to score for the second game running after Gulacsi had saved from Leon Goretzka.

Leipzig started the second half as they had begun the first.

An own goal from Kolasinac restored their lead within two minutes of the restart as he helped Forsberg's free-kick past Fahrmann.

A neat, swift move involving Naby Keita and Forsberg teed up Werner for another good opportunity midway through the second half, but his shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Another Werner effort was deflected behind after he was picked out in space by Poulsen on yet another of Leipzig's counter-attacks, Marcel Halstenberg seeing his header tipped over by Fahrmann from the resulting corner.

At the other end Gulacsi was called into action for the first time in the second half to turn Johannes Geis' free-kick away, with his defence blocking Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's backheeled attempt from the rebound.

A bright spell for Schalke followed, but Leipzig continued to look the more threatening on the break and they almost got a third when Forsberg's effort was cleared off the line by Naldo.



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