Schick stars as Leverkusen beat Leipzig

Czech Republic striker Patrick Shick scored a hat-trick to power Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-1 victory over RB Leipzig at the BayArena.

The home side began the match brightly, pressing Leipzig while creating early chances, with the visitors looking to threaten on the counter attack.

However, it was a Leverkusen counter that led to the opening goal from Schick in the 25th minute following a Nathan Tella cutback cross.

Tella then doubled the lead for his side at the stroke of half time with a well taken finish after a Garcia delivery.

Leipzig were more assertive in the early stages of the second half, creating some opportunities but could not score before Schick added a third goal after being put through on goal.

The visitors pulled a goal back in the 80th minute with a Christoph Baumgartner header before Schick completed his hat-trick nine minutes later to seal a 4-1 win.

The result sees Leverkusen jump into fourth spot on the table while Leipzig remain third.

Bayern snatch late draw against Hoffenheim

Champions Bayern Munich needed a very late goal to claim a 3-3 draw against relegation threatened Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena.

Bottom of the table Hoffenheim took a shock two goal lead within the first half hour against the newly crowned league champions with goals from Budu Zivzivadze (22) and Eren Dinkci (31') before Leon Goretza pulled one back with a free-kick shortly before half-time.

Bayern turned up the pressure in the second half and drew level when Goretzka (57') tapped in from a Michael Olise cross before Joshua Kimmich struck the upright with in the 67th minute.

Zivzivadze put the visitors ahead again with stunning curler after a good run in the 67th minute however they could not protect the lead with an Olise (90+10) strike striking the woodwork before rebounding off Rajmas back into goal.

Elsewhere, Union Berlin collected their first point under female coach Marie-Louise Eta after coming from behind to claim a 2-2 draw against FC Koln at the Alten Forsterei.

The visitors let slip of a two goal lead in the last twenty minutes of the match with Tom Buthe (73') and Livan Burcu (89') cancelling out Marius Bulter (33') and Said El Mala (61') efforts.

In another Saturday clash, Hoffenheim were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by VfB Stuttgart at the PreZero Arena.

The home side led 3-1 at half time following a Andrej Kramaric brace and a Bazoumana Toure goal with Chris Fuhrich scoring for Stuttgart.

Ermedin Demirovic added a second for the visitors in the 64th minute before Atakan Karazor was sent off just five minutes later.

However, Tiago Tomas scored in stoppage time to claim a draw for Stuttgart.

At the Deutsche Bank Park, Hamburger SV defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 to move a point above Union Berlin into 11th while Augsburg won 3-1 at Werder Bremen, who dropped just outside of the relegation zone to 15th.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe expresses gratitude as he recovers from pneumonia