体坛英语新闻：Leipzig whitewash Schalke 5-0 to stay second in Bundesliga

BERLIN, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- RB Leipzig secured a comfortable 5-0 victory and defended the second place in the standings after scoring four second half goals to trash Schalke at the 23rd in Bundesliga on Saturday.

The "Bulls" caught a perfect start on the road as Marcel Sabizter's 25 meter hammer found the back of the net and broke the deadlock with a minute into the game.

Schalke tried to respond but were unable to threat Leipzig's bulwark meanwhile the visitors continued to work out chances as Werner and Patrik Schick came close.

The "Royal Blues" eventually got an effort on target before the break but the hosts best chance through Benito Raman, following a counter attack, was ruled offside.

Schalke started highly motivated into the second half but Leipzig took over as the clock ticked.

Sabizter came close to sew up his brace but his shot missed the target just wide in the 56th minute. Werner cut a better figure in front of the goal as he had all time and space to beat Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nubel at the hour mark.

Leipzig gained momentum and tripled the lead as Christopher Nkunku's corner found Marcel Halstenberg, who nodded home and destroyed all hopes of a Schalke comeback seven minutes later.

Julian Nagelsmann's men were not done with the scoring and made it 4-0 on the scoreboards after new arrival Angelino rifled the ball into the far post bottom corner in the 80th minute.

Schalke were unable to put up resistance as things went from bad to worse in the 89th minute when Emil Forsberg benefitted on Nkunku's fourth assist to make it 5-0.

"We defended very well and hardly allowed any shots on our goal. It was overall a powerful performance against Schalke," Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann said.

With the victory, RB Leipzig climb back on the second place meanwhile Schalke stay on the 6th position in the table.

The following matches are set for Sunday: Bayer Leverkusen encounter Augsburg and Wolfsburg clash with Mainz.