Bundesliga: Mainz 3 Nuremberg 0

Mainz closed the gap on Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund to just four points with a 3-0 home win over Nuremberg on Friday.

The hosts took the lead after 27 minutes thanks to a goal from young German international striker Andre Schurrle before defender Nikolce Noveski doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half with his first goal of the season.

Tunisian striker Sami Allagui came off the substitutes’ bench to replace Shurrle after 75 minutes and 10 minutes later added his own name to the scoresheet to complete the rout and send Nuremberg to their third straight defeat.

The win takes Mainz to 30 points, just four behind Dortmund at the head of the Bundesliga standings ahead of an away clash with Eintracht Frankfurt next Saturday.

Nuremberg slump to 10th place in the league and their life will not get any easier next weekend when they welcome high-flying Dortmund on Sunday.