Bundesliga: Timo Werner hat-trick helps RB Leipzig demolish hosts Mainz 5-0

Timo Werner's hat-trick helped RB Leipzig demolish hosts Mainz 5-0 on Sunday to reclaim third place in the Bundesliga.

Timo Werner's hat-trick helped RB Leipzig demolish hosts Mainz 5-0 on Sunday to reclaim third place in the Bundesliga.

The German international Werner, opened his account in the 11th minute and Yussuf Poulsen nodded in the second goal in the 23rd. Marcel Sabitzer killed off the game before the break, flicking in from close range as Mainz collapsed.

Werner, who is a target for several top European clubs this summer, scored again three minutes after the restart. The 24-year-old forward chipped the ball over keeper Florian Mueller in the 75th for his 24th goal of the season and 91st in all competitions for Leipzig. He also became their all-time top scorer.

"Timo Werner has developed a very good sense not to move only on the wings but to go over to the 10 positions," Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann said about Werner's work.

"Coupled with his speed, that makes him a more versatile player and makes it harder for his opponents to control him."

Leipzig had already crushed Mainz 8-0 earlier this season with Werner grabbing a hat-trick that time too. The club has moved back into the third spot on 54 points, one point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and two clear of Borussia Moenchengladbach in the battle for a Champions League spot.

Leipzig also set a club record with 68 goals scored this season. This is more than in any other entire campaign since its promotion to the Bundesliga in 2016.

In the Bundesliga table, Bayern Munich leads the standings with 61 points, four ahead of Borussia Dortmund who they face on Tuesday.

The Bundesliga became the first major sports league to resume amid the COVID-19 outbreak. There are no fans in attendance after the sport was suspended for more than two months due to the pandemic.