Nkunku shines as Leipzig ease past Hoffenheim

Nkunku bagged his 17th league goal this season to give hosts Leipzig an early lead, then set up Dominik Szoboszlai as Leipzig consolidated fourth place. Midfielder Marcel Halstenberg scored Leipzig's second goal as he netted for the first time after missing most of the season with injury. Nkunku's strike, a superb finish from a free kick, saw him move up to third among the leading scorers.

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich is the league's top marksman after scoring his 32nd league goal on Saturday in a 1-0 home win over Augsburg. Nkunku now has one more goal than Norway star Haaland, who has not scored in his last five games for Dortmund.

Sunday's home win continues Leipzig's great form under head coach Domenico Tedesco who has lifted the team from 11th when he replaced Jesse Marsch last December.

"That was a good performance from the start," said Tedesco, who leapt for joy after Halstenberg's goal. "I was just so pleased for him, especially as he wasn't able to play football for so long and he has worked so hard in training."

Leipzig have picked up 29 points in the second half of the season, three more than league leaders Bayern. They are now just a point behind third-placed Leverkusen who they face away next Sunday.