Bundesliga round-up: Dortmund's title charge gathers pace
Dortmund 4-1 Hertha Berlin
Borussia Dortmund moved level on points with Bayern Munich and Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga after battling to a 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Hertha Berlin.
Dortmund were gunning for a sixth successive Bundesliga victory, but were halted early on due to a heavy smoke cloud descending on Signal Iduna Park from the crowd.
With their title rivals slipping up this weekend, the hosts appeared edgy early on, as Marius Wolf gave the ball away to Jessic Ngankam on the edge of the area, who narrowly put his effort over the bar. This was followed up by another great Hertha chance when Florian Niederlechner capitalised on a defensive error to force Gregor Kobel into a good save.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Dortmund, who are on their longest-winning Bundesliga run since 2012, confidently grew into the game, taking the lead through a devastatingly quick attack.
Marco Reus followed a silky dribble with a shot towards the bottom corner that was met by a gorgeous flick from Karim Adeyemi to deceive the goalkeeper - as the youngster netted for the second time in as many games.
The 21-year-old then turned provider as he delightfully teed up Donyell Malen for a tap-in at the back post to double the hosts’ advantage. That would be Adeyemi’s last action though, as he hobbled off with an apparent muscle injury sustained in the process of creating that goal.
Edin Terzić’s men were far from dominant in the first half, and Die Schwarzgelben were abruptly reminded that they were still very much in a game within two minutes of the restart.
Die Alte Dame reduced the arrears following great play down the left side that saw Suat Serdar pick out Lucas Tousart who made no mistake in scoring his fourth goal of the season.
The introduction of Jude Bellingham from the bench helped Dortmund regain control of the contest, and ultimately allowed Reus to wrap up the three points with a trademark free-kick that left Oliver Christensen rooted to the spot from 20 yards out. Julian Brandt put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute, finishing after some superb work from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens slotted the German in on goal.
Another victory, their seventh in a row in all competitions since the restart, keeps Dortmund well and truly in the title race, now only trailing Bayern on goal difference, while Hertha remain in the relegation zone and two points adrift of safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Union Berlin 0-0 Schalke
Title-chasing 1. FC Union Berlin failed to take full advantage of Bayern Munich’s slip-up, drawing 0-0 with bottom side Schalke 04. Die Knappen’s fourth consecutive goalless draw sets a new Bundesliga record.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Mainz
Bayer Leverkusen’s five-game unbeaten run at home to FSV Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga came to an end as Marcus Ingvartsen’s late penalty sealed a 3-2 victory for the Nullfünfer at the BayArena.
