Leipzig move atop standings with victory over Schalke

BERLIN: Leipzig extended Schalke's winless run to overall 19 games after paving the way for the win with three first-half goals in the third round of the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The "Bulls" assumed control from the starting whistle and pressed the "Royal Blues" onto the back foot.

Despite the host's dominance they had to be patient as Schalke was able to neutralize the attacks in the opening period.

Things changed though for Schalke in the 23rd minute when Suat Serdar was unable to continue after a tackle. Can Bozdogan came in for the injured defensive midfielder and the youngster grabbed the worst possible start into the game as he cleared Emil Forsberg's square pass into the wrong goal in the 31st minute.

Only four minutes later, Leipzig established a two-goal lead after Christopher Nkunku's cross into the penalty area found Angelino, who made no mistake to get his name on the scoresheet.

To make things worse for Schalke, Leipzig continued on the front foot and made it 3-0 just before the break as Marcel Halstenberg's cross allowed Willi Orban to make it three.

Schalke showed their first vital sign of the game after the restart when Bozdogan unleashed a hammer on target, forcing Leipzig's goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi into action for the first time with 54 minutes into the match.

Leipzig remained offensively minded but for all that Julian Nagelsmann's men squandered a number of chances as neither Dani Olmo nor Nordi Mukiele was able to extend the lead.

Schalke then invited Leipzig for another goal in the closing stages as Matija Nastasic's handball caused a penalty. Halstenberg stepped up and converted the subsequent penalty to round off the 4-0 victory on home soil. Agencies

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