Matheus Cunha (L, front) of RB Leipzig vies with Salif Sane (R, front) of FC Schalke 04 during the Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC Schalke 04 in Leipzig , Germany, on Sept. 28, 2019. (Photo by Kevin Voigt/Xinhua)
BERLIN, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich carved out a close victory over newly promoted Paderborn to move atop the standings after Schalke upset front runners Leipzig 3-1 at the sixth round in Bundesliga on Saturday.
Goals from Serge Gnabry, Philippe Coutinho and Robert Lewandowski helped Bayern Munich to overpower resilient Paderborn 3-2.
The defending champions had a bright start on the road but Robert Lewandowski failed to open the scoring in the early stages after missing an open goal from very close range in the seventh minute.
Bayern gained momentum and broke the deadlock with 15 minutes played as Coutinho's chipped pass into path of Gnabry allowed the German international to mark the opener from inside the box.
Paderborn's best chance of the first half came from a misplaced return pass from Thiago Alcantara to goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who almost got caught flat-footed.
After the restart, Bayern remained on the front foot and it looked as business as usual when Coutinho benefitted from Gnabry's volley lay-up to slot home 10 minutes into the second half.
However, a spirited Paderborn responded well and reduced the arrears in the 68th minute when substitute Kai Proger drilled the ball from 11 meters into the bottom far post corner.
Even though Proger's goal sparked hopes for the home side, Lewandowski left no doubt about Bayern's will to win as the Poland international set a new Bundesliga record after scoring his 10th goal in his sixth match.
Paderborn still were not done with the scoring and reduced the deficit again as Jamilu Collins' long-range strike marked the final score of the game.
With the result, Bayern Munich captured the top spot while Paderborn stay at the last place.
Leipzig suffered their first defeat of the season and gave away their lead as clinical Schalke scored against the run of the game to take all three points on the road.
The Bulls started offensively minded and came to a number of chances in the opening period.
Nevertheless, neither Emil Forsberg nor Marcel Sabizter, who missed the empty goal from very close range, were able to open the scoring despite promising chances for the home side.
With 30 minutes into the game, the "Royal Blues" punished Leipzig's wastefulness as Salif Sane nodded home a corner kick at the second post to flabbergast the hosts.
Things went from bad to worse before the break as the referee awarded the visitors a foul-play penalty after consultation with the video assistant referee. Amine Harit stepped up and made no mistake to double the lead from the spot.
After the break, Leipzig enjoyed greater possession of the ball but Schalke focused on fast breaks, and that is how their third goal came. Harit initiated a fast break following a misplaced pass from Nordi Mukiele and teed up for Rabbi Matondo, whose first ever Bundesliga goal sealed the deal.
Leipzig were able to score their consolation goal through Forsberg in the 83rd minute but Schalke's win was already cast in stone.
With the first defeat of the season, Leipzig slipped from the first to the second place for the moment while Schalke jumped from fifth to third.
Elsewhere, Borussia Monchengladbach wrapped up their second straight victory after beating Hoffenheim 3-0.
Wolfsburg maintain their unbeaten start to the season as Marcel Tisserand's sole goal was enough to down Mainz 1-0 and Augsburg suffered their third loss of the campaign after Florian Niederlechner's own goal inspired Bayer Leverkusen to a 3-0 win.