Timo Werner was on target again as RB Leipzig survived a second-half Paderborn fightback to go provisionally top of the Bundesliga standings.

Paderborn 2-3 RB Leipzig
Goals: 0-1 Schick (3'), 0-2 Sabitzer (4'), 0-3 Werner (26'), 1-3 Mamba (62'), 2-3 Gjasula (73')

Any thoughts that Leipzig may be lethargic after celebrating reaching the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League in midweek were soon shattered with two goals in as many minutes. Patrik Schick put them in front with a remarkable pivot past two defenders and neat finish into the far corner for his first Bundesliga goal, before Marcel Sabitzer struck from distance, with Leopold Zingerle caught off his line and unable to reach the ball as it flew past him. A half to forget for the hosts was then completed by Werner, who added the finishing touch to a lightning counter-attack, picking up Christopher Nkunku's sixth assist of the season, rounding Zingerle and slotting into an unguarded goal.

Paderborn had nothing to lose as they emerged for the second half, and they thought they had reduced the arrears within minutes of the restart when Streli Mamba raced clear and beat Yvon Mvogo. The flag went up as soon as the ball hit the back of the net, though, and VAR confirmed offside was the right decision. But it stayed down when Mamba timed his run even better just after the hour mark, and he again showed excellent composure to beat Mvogo inside his near post. Belief was back in the Paderborn players and Christopher Antwi-Adjei got around the back to tee up Klaus Gjasula, who also tucked in his first Bundesliga goal from near the penalty spot, setting up a grandstand finish. The hosts threw everything forward, and risked conceding again to Werner, but they could not find an equaliser as Leipzig held on to go top, at least temporarily.

Match stats

• Schick's first shot on goal in the Bundesliga was rewarded with his first top-flight goal.
• Sabitzer has scored four goals from long range this season – more than any other player in the Bundesliga.
• Werner's 13th goal of the season was his fifth on the counter-attack – more than any other player in the Bundesliga this season.
• Leipzig have now scored at least one goal in their last 14 Bundesliga matches, setting a new club record in the process.
• Mamba is Paderborn's top scorer this season with five.

Watch: Timo Werner on Leipzig's title-chasing ambitions

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Line-ups

Paderborn: Zingerle – Jans (Sabiri 85'), Kilian, Schonlau (c), Collins – Pröger, Vasiliadis, Gjasula, Holtmann (Antwi-Adjei 61') – Zolinski (Michel 73'),Mamba
Unused subs: Huth, Hünemeier, Strohdiek, Cauly, Kapic, Dräger
Out: -
Coach: Steffen Baumgart

Leipzig: Mvogo – Klostermann, Ilsanker, Upamecano, Mukiele (Saracchi 56') – Laimer, Demme (c) – Sabitzer (Haidara 61'), Schick (Cunha 75'), Nkunku – Werner
Unused subs: Tschauner, Lookman, Wolf, Halstenberg, Ampadu, Krauß
Out: Adams (groin), Forsberg (muscular), Gulacsi (concussion), Kampl (ankle), Konate (hamstring), Orban (knee), Poulsen (groin), Wolf (ankle)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Watch: Julian Nagelsmann on Leipzig's table-topping exploits

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