By 
Taiwo Awoniyi was back to goalscoring duties on Friday as he scored Union Berlin’s first goal in their 2-1 win against RB Leipzig to fire them to the top four, overnight at least.
The tone was set early on for a bumper Matchday 14 on Friday when Awoniyi struck after only six minutes. Timo Baumgartl headed down Julian Ryerson’s cross following a short corner, and the Nigerian reacted quickest to turn in at the far post.
That’s Awoniyi’s ninth Bundesliga goal of the season. Only Robert Lewandowski (14) and Erling Haaland (10) have scored more than the former Liverpool man.
Union Berlin really should’ve been 2-0 up minutes later but Awoniyi missed a low ball into the centre and Max Kruse put the second attempt wide while unchallenged. The Berliners were made to pay as Leipzig responded with their first effort on goal only seconds afterwards.
Nkunku’s shot from 25 yards bounced just in front of Andreas Luthe but he failed to get either one to it and the ball went in over the diving goalkeeper.
Dominik Szoboszlai had a dipping effort tipped over the bar while Kruse pulled the strings at the other end, but without any more clear-cut chances. Andre Silva headed over his best chance before the half-time whistle sounded at the Alte Försterei.
The second half didn’t have the blistering start of the first, but Union did again make their first good chance count. Baumgartl was again up for a corner and reacted quickest after Kruse’s effort from the edge of the box following the cutback was deflected and wrong-footed Peter Gulacsi, allowing for the tap-in.
Victory for Union puts a five-point cushion between themselves and their eastern rivals, who are seven points down on their previous lowest total after 14 Bundesliga matchdays.
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