Leipzig equals record to draw level with Bayern

Berlin - Bundesliga debutant RB Leipzig drew level on 24 points with Bayern Munich at the top of the table on Sunday with a record-equalling 3-1 win over Mainz.

Leipzig has now matched Bayern's run of seven wins and three draws from its first ten German league games.

The Saxons equal the record for a team in its debut Bundesliga season, set by MSV Duisburg, who also went ten games unbeaten in the 1993-94 season.

Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg scored all three Leipzig goals and it threatened to turn into a rout as the host wasted four clear chances with the scoreline flattering Mainz, who drops to tenth.

After Bayern was held to a 1-1 draw at Munich's Allianz Arena on Saturday, Leipzig seized its chance to match the Bavarian giant's points tally, but stays second on goal difference.

Leipzig, who was only founded in 2009, earned its place in Germany's top flight this season with four promotions in seven years.

Its pre-Christmas showdown with Bayern at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday Dec. 20 is building to be a top-of-the-table clash.

A falsely triggered fire alarm delayed kick-off by three minutes at Leipzig's Red Bull Arena, but the 43,000 spectators barely had time to find their seats when striker Timo Werner gave Leipzig the lead.

Left winger Emil Forsberg had his shot blocked, but Werner tapped home the rebound for his fourth goal of the season with three minutes gone.

Werner returned the favour by out sprinting Mainz's Nigerian defender Leon Balogun and steered the ball into Forsberg's path for the Sweden international to double their lead on 21 minutes.

A minute from the break, Forsberg also sprinted past Balogun before squaring for Werner, who fired home off his left foot to make it 3-0 at the break.

Mainz coach Martin Schmidt brought on defender Stefan Bell for winger Jairo Samperio for the second half, but Forsberg and Werner both had second-half chances and could have added four more goals.

Werner went off to loud applause, making way for Scotland winger Oliver Burke for the final 20 minutes.

Mainz pulled a goal back 16 minutes from time when Bell out jumped his marker from a corner and placed his header into the far corner.