Werner scores 2 again, Leipzig tightens grip on 4th place

Posted December 16, 2018 6:00 am

By CIARAN FAHEY

Leipzig's Timo Werner celebrates his side third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) - Germany forward Timo Werner again scored twice to help Leipzig consolidate fourth place in the Bundesliga with a 4-1 home win over Mainz on Sunday.

Yussuf Poulsen also scored two goals as Leipzig maintained its unbeaten record at home this season and tightened its grip on the last qualification place for the Champions League.

Leipzig stayed two points ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt and two behind Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayern Munich. Borussia Dortmund leads Bayern and Gladbach by nine points after 15 rounds.

If Werner scores in the league, fans have got used to expecting another goal - with his 10 goals coming in five games.

The former Stuttgart striker sealed Leipzig's win in the 74th and claimed his second goal in the 88th off an assist from Poulsen, who grabbed two goals in five minutes in the first half.

Karim Onisiwo pulled one back before the break for Mainz, which remained 10th.

FRANKFURT FIFTH

Frankfurt, which has been impressing with its performances in the Europa League, bounced back from two successive defeats in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen to stay in pursuit of Leipzig in the race for Champions League qualification.

Filip Kostic set up Danny da Costa to score against his former side in the first half, then grabbed Frankfurt's second before the hour-mark.

Karim Bellarabi gave Leverkusen hope in the 65th, but Kevin Volland missed a good chance for an equalizer in injury time.

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Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen reacts inside the goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Leipzig's Yussuf Poulsen. left, and Moussa Niakhate, right, of Mainz head for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

Leipzig's Timo Werner, left, scores his side third goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FSV Mainz 05 in Leipzig, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Right are Robin Zentner, goalkeeper of Mainz. (Jan Woitas/dpa via AP) The Associated Press

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