Leipzig ease past struggling Union Berlin

LEIPZIG : RB Leipzig beat lowly Union Berlin 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday thanks to goals from Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko in a match where the visitors finished with 10 men after captain Christopher Trimmel was sent off.

Leipzig struck early after Benjamin Henrichs' deflected shot was neatly struck into the top corner by Openda in the 11th minute.

The home piled on the pressure in the first half but were left frustrated as Union goalkeeper Alexander Schwolow pulled off some acrobatic saves in the rain-soaked match which was stopped for a couple of minutes due to several tennis balls being thrown onto the pitch.

Leipzig increased their lead shortly after the break when Sesko headed home from a free kick after a foul on Simons. The Slovenian scored again nine minutes later but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

Union Berlin were down a player after captain Trimmel was red-carded for a foul on David Raum in the 73rd.

Leipzig are fifth in the standings with 36 points from 20 games, one point adrift of fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund. Union Berlin are 15th with 17 points, two points clear of FC Cologne who occupy the relegation-playoff spot.