Keita sends Leipzig second
October 23, 2016
Schalke 3-0 Mainz
(Bentaleb 23', 62' Meyer 48')
Schalke used the momentum of a strong Europa League campaign to continue their domestic recovery as they dispatched a tired Mainz side at the end of Matchday 8.
Markus Weinzierl's side showed no sign of fatigue early on, and eventually converted their pressure when Nabil Bentaleb scored his second goal in as many games. The man on loan from Tottenham Hotspur drilled home inside the box after a neat lay-off from Franco di Santo.
Mainz's players had heavy legs after their midweek game as their normal pressing strategy was noticeably absent. Jhon Cordoba broke through, but only tested Ralf Fährmann's patience not his palms.
Good refereeing ended any hopes Mainz might have had of getting something from their visit to Gelsenkirchen. Max Meyer fired home inside the box for his first goal of the season after Daniel Siebert played advantage, allowing Schalke's attack to continue.
Bentaleb's second was the pick of the bunch as a wonderful flowing move down the left ended with the Algerian calmly stroking home inside the box. Schalke move up to 14th place in the table and return to form just in time ahead of the Ruhr derby against Borussia Dortmund next weekend.
Leipzig 3-1 Werder Bremen
(Keita 42', 74', Selke 90'+1 - Gnabry 76')
A goal in each half from Naby Keita saw Leipzig end Werder Bremen's mini-revival and move up to second in the Bundesliga.
The game burst into life three minutes before the break when Keita scored a fine opener. The Guinean got a lucky richochet before poking the ball away from Ludovic Sane and showing great composure to round Felix Wiedwald and finish into the bottom corner.
Werder threatened to level and their best chance was denied by a fine last-ditch challenge by Bernardo on Serge Gnabry.
Leipzig opened a two-goal lead through Keita again, who nodded in after a superb cross by substitute Davie Selke.
Gnabry pulled one back two minutes later, sliding in a Fin Bartels cross at the far post. Selke wrapped up the win though, rolling the ball into the empty net, after Wiedwald had vacated the goal in the hope of helping Werder find an equalizer.