Timo Werner hits hat-trick for RB Leipzig as they thrash Mainz

Timo Werner scored a hat-trick as RB Leipzig thrashed hosts Mainz 05 5-0 on Sunday to reclaim third place in the Bundesliga.

Germany international Werner, a target for Liverpool, opened his account in the 11th minute and Yussuf Poulsen with a second goal in the 23rd.

Marcel Sabitzer killed off the game before the break, flicking in from close range as Mainz collapsed.

Leipzig, move back into third on 54 points, one place ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and two clear of Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Bayern Munich lead the standings with 61 points, four ahead of Borussia Dortmund whom they face on Tuesday.

The Bundesliga became the first major sports league to resume last week, with no fans in attendance, after being suspended for more than two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Full time: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5

82 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5 

Awoniyi, impressive sub, gets to the byline and crosses it, Orban very nearly stabs that past his own keeper.

80 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5

Leipzig are into the hat for the last 8 of the Champions League (assuming that returns). One to avoid if they are in this form. Atalanta, Atletico and PSG are the others already in the quarters.

No sign of RBL tiring…4:09PM

77 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5

A cross comes in and Mateta produces a lovely, creative, imaginative back flick to send it just a foot wide of the post.

GOAL! Werner completes his hat-trick! 

 Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 5 (Werner 75)

71 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4   

Nkunku, is coming off as is Kampl, and they are replaced by Wolf and Lookman.

63 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4 

Lepizig have it in the net once again. It’s Kevin Kampl but Poulsen was offside.

For Mainz: Taiwo Awoniyi and Leandro Barreiro on. Kunde Malong and Jean-Paul Boetius off.

60 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4

Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer off. Willi Orban and Tyler Adams on for the visitors.

57 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4 

Poulsen, the Dane, running riot but loses his balance at the key moment. He is a worker this guy.

55 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4

Nkunku has gone close again.

50 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4 

RB are only in fifth.

GOAL! Werner again! It’s four!

Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 4 (Werner 48)

46 mins: Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 3

Onisiwo wins a corner. Cleared easily enough by RBL.

Half time: Mainz 0 Leipzig 3

Mainz is that there are only 45 minutes left and at the current rate of progress they are only going to lose 0-6, which will be an improvement on the 8-0 beating they took in the reverse fixture.

Leipzig look excellent.

GOAL! Sabitzer makes it three.

Mainz 0 RB Leipzig 3

GOAL! Poulsen makes it two

Poulsen makes it two – and it was all too easy. This time it is Sabitzer who gets down the right, he stands the ball up and there is Poulsen with a free header.

GOAL! Werner for Leipzig

Teams again in text

Mainz: Muller; Bruma, St. Juste, Niakhate; Baku, Kunde, Fernandes, Martin; Boetius, Quaison; Onisiwo. Subs: Dahmen, Latza, Oztunali, Mateta, Ji, Brosinski, Awoniyi, Barreiro, Hack.

Leipzig: Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Laimer; Sabitzer, Kampl, Nkunku, Olmo; Werner, Poulsen.Subs: Mvogo, Angelino, Orban, Haidara, Adams, Lookman, Wolf, Schick, Mukiele.