Marco Reus headed the only goal of the game after 27 minutes. English teenage winger Jadon Sancho provided the cross for what was his ninth assist of the season.
Reus and Jacob Bruun Larsen both missed chances to extend the lead in the second half but one goal was enough and it moved Dortmund four points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich, after they could only draw at home to Freiburg.
Bayern, who have won the Bundesliga title for the past six seasons, lost more ground at the top following Lucas Holer’s last-minute equaliser. Serge Gnabry had put Niko Kovac’s side ahead in the 80th minute.
Leipzig regained third spot in the table after a 3-0 victory at Hertha Berlin. Timo Werner scored twice before Matheus Cunha added another goal late on.
Reiss Nelson, like Sancho also 18-years-old, is another young English talent also thriving in the Bundesliga and he scored his fifth league goal of the campaign as Hoffenheim won 4-1 at Bayer Leverkusen.
The on-loan Arsenal forward opened the scoring but Karim Bellarabi quickly equalised for the hosts. Joelinton’s double and a Vincenzo Grifo penalty sealed a comfortable victory for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Schalke returned to winning ways with a 3-1 home success against Hannover, their first victory in five league and cup matches.
All the goals came in the second half with Nabil Bentaleb opening the scoring form the penalty spot. Hendrik Weydandt equalised after 70 minutes but Hannover were level for only one minute as Breel Embolo restored the hosts’ advantage. Mark Uth’s strike five minutes from time put the result beyond doubt.
Augsburg and Nuremberg shared the points in a 2-2 draw. The hosts led twice through goals from Alfred Finnbogason and Jonathan Schmid but Alexander Fuchs and Lukas Muhl scored equalisers.
