Poulsen inspires Leipzig comeback win over Fürth

RB Leipzig 4-1 Greuther Fürth
Goals: 0-1 Hrgota (pen.) 44', 1-1 Poulsen 47', 2-1 Forsberg (pen.) 52', 3-1 Szoboszlai (assist: Nkunku) (65'), 4-1 Novoa (assist: Szoboszlai) 89'

Sitting four points adrift of safety going into Matchday 9, Fürth went to Leipzig knowing they were up against it, but it was 20-year-old winger Jamie Leweling - on his full Bundesliga debut - that provided the first shot on target as he stung the palms of Peter Gulacsi. The hosts may have enjoyed the greater possession, but it was the Cloverleaves that carved out the better chances throughout the first-half. And they had the ball in the back of the net on 23 minutes as Leweling's cross was eventually bundled over the line, but play was called back for a foul by Cedric Itten as he challenged Gulacsi for the ball. Fürth took a legitimate lead a minute prior to the break, though, after Leweling was bundled over in the box by Nordi Mukiele, and Branimir Hrgota cooly converted from the penalty spot.

Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch called on both Poulsen and Mohamed Simakan at the break, and the former had his team level less than two minutes after coming on. The Denmark international swept home via a deflection, with his equaliser given the seal of approval by the video referee after a check for offside. Poulsen's impact was emphatic and inside 10 minutes of his appearance, the 27-year-old had won his side a penalty of their own that Emil Forsberg confidently arrowed into the bottom left corner. It completed a remarkable turnaround, with Leipzig suddenly rampant and Fürth shellshocked. Leipzig were home and dry with 25 minutes to go as substitute Dominik Szoboszlai scored with his first touch. There was still enough time for 18-year-old Hugo Novoa to become the third Leipzig player to take just one touch to score as he tucked home Szoboszlai's perfect cross. The result moves Leipzig into sixth place and leaves Fürth rooted to the bottom of the table with just a single point to their name.

• Between coming on the pitch and then scoring the equaliser and winning the penalty that made the scores 2-1, Poulsen had touched the ball just four times.
• Forsberg celebrated his 30th birthday on Saturday, with his 30th Bundesliga goal.
• Leipzig have never lost against a promoted side in the Bundesliga (W19, D3).
• Novoa made his senior debut as an 85th minute substitute and scored his first professional goal just three minutes later.
• Leweling has featured in all nine of Greuther's Bundesliga matches this season, but this was his first start in the top-flight.
• Fürth captain Hrgota is the team's leading league scorer in 2021/22 with three goals. All three of those goals have come from the penalty spot, and Hrgota has successfully converted his last eight penalties in all competitions.

Leipzig: Gulacsi (c) - Mukiele, Orban, Gvardiol - Henrichs (Simakan 46'), Haidara, Kampl (Poulsen 46'), Angelino - Nkunku (Novoa 85'), Forsberg (Szoboszlai 64') - Silva (Adams 64')
Unused subs: Martinez, Tschauner, Moriba, Wosz
Out: Brobbey (thigh), Halstenberg (ankle), Klostermann (thigh), Olmo (thigh), Saracchi (knee)
Coach: Jesse Marsch 

Fürth: Funk - Meyerhöfer, Bauer, Viergever, Willems (Itter 72') - Christiansen, Griesbeck, Dudziak (Barry 82') - Leweling - Itten (Abiama 82'), Hrgota (c) (Tillman 72')
Unused subs: Burchert, Asta, Seufert, Sarpei, Green
Out: Jung (knee), Ngankam (knee), Nielsen (ankle), Seguin (suspended)
Coach: Stefan Leitl