体坛英语新闻：Leipzig beat Union Berlin 3-1 to extend lead atop standings

BERLIN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Front runners Leipzig came from behind on a brace from Timo Werner and moved 3-1 past newly promoted Union Berlin on home soil at the 18th round in Bundesliga on Saturday.

Leipzig needed some warm-up time to get into the first encounter of 2020 but the front runners turned up in the second half to secure all three points in front of home crowd.

However, things started other than expected as Union Berlin opened the scoring with just ten minutes played as Sebastian Andersson's diagonal pass allowed Marius Bluter to overcome Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.

Berlin created another chance through Christan Gentner five minutes later but his header on target was no threat for Gulacsi.

It was Berlin's last opportunity for the remainder of the first half as Leipzig gained the upper hand and pressed the visitors into the defence. Patrik Schick were unable to beat Union keeper Rafal Gikiewicz while Werner squandered a golden chance.

Leipzig were in complete control and continued to press forward but still they were not able to score before the break as Lukas Klostermann's shot on target got defused by his teammate Dayot Upamecano and Nordi Mukiele pulled wide from sharp angle.

After the restart, Leipzig's efforts eventually paid off when Werner drilled a volley into the top left corner to level the scores in the 51st minute.

Julian Nagelsmann's men increased the pressure and completed the turnaround six minutes later as Union were unable to clear corner, allowing Marcel Sabitzer to poke home right footed.

Leipzig controlled the reins but for all that the visitors from the capital came to a promising chance out of the blue still Gulacsi was on guard to deny Robert Andrich from tight angle in the 71st minute.

The hosts reacted and destroyed all hopes of a comeback in the 83rd minute when Werner sewed up his brace after tapping home Sabitzer's pinpoint cross into the box.

With the result, Leipzig increased their advantage atop the standings to five points meanwhile Union Berlin slip to the 12th position.

The following encounters conclude the 18th round on Sunday: Hertha Berlin clash with defending champions Bayern Munich and bottom side Paderborn face Bayer Leverkusen.