Leverkusen comes back to go third in Bundesliga
Bayer Leverkusen staged a two-goal comeback in four minutes to earn a 3-1 victory at RB Leipzig, snapping the host's unbeaten run at home this season and climbing into third place at the start of the Bundesliga's winter break.
The hosts got off to a strong start and took the lead when Xaver Schlager threaded his shot past two defenders after a fine solo effort for a 35th-minute goal.
Leverkusen, however, needed just four minutes to turn the game on its head. Martin Terrier, who last week scored a spectacular scorpion kick goal, was on target with a looping header to equalise in the 40th minute.
The visitors completed their lightning-quick comeback in the 44th minute with Patrik Schick wrong-footing defender Kosta Nedeljkovic and then curling his shot past keeper Peter Gulacsi.
Leverkusen had time to create one more golden chance on the stroke of half-time but Nathan Tella's shot was stopped by keeper Peter Gulacsi before the ball was cleared on the line.
The hosts tried to come back after the break and both Conrad Harder and David Raum came close but conceded a third goal in stoppage-time through Montrell Culbreath for their first home loss of the season after six consecutive victories.
With the Bundesliga resuming on 9 January after this weekend's matches, Leverkusen is on 29 points, three behind second-placed Borussia Dortmund, a 2-0 winner against Borussia Moenchengladbach. Leader Bayern Munich, on 38, is in action in Heidenheim on Monday (AEDT). Leipzig dropped to fourth on goal difference.
