Marco Reus proved decisive against his former club once again as his goal earned Borussia Dortmund all three points in a 1-0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Thorgan Hazard, still looking for his first goal for Dortmund, tried to find it early on against his ex-employers with a low shot that was deflected behind for a corner, from which Mats Hummels almost gave BVB the lead with a header that bounced just over. Julian Brandt went even closer as the half wore on, his deflected effort drawing a fine save by Yann Sommer. At the other end, a counter-attacking Gladbach side threatened Roman Bürki’s goal for the first time when Oscar Wendt’s cross was met by Breel Embolo, who headed over. Stefan Lainer also went close for a visiting team growing in confidence when he stole in at the far post only to be denied by Bürki’s quick reactions. Similar reflexes saw Sommer turn a Hummels header onto the crossbar, before he was eventually beaten by Hazard – only for VAR to rule out the goal for an offside in the build-up.
Dortmund’s frustration at seeing that goal chalked off saw them double their efforts to take the lead in the second period, and after a string of half-chances, they finally drew first blood. Hazard was the provider this time as he threaded a pass perfectly into the path of Reus, who stroked his shot through the legs of Sommer as the two former Gladbach players combined to deadly effect. An injury to Bürki meant Swiss compatriot Marwin Hitz entered the fray for his second league appearance of the season, but he was rarely tested as Dortmund continued to look more likely to add to the scoresheet. They thought they had done just that when Julian Brandt curled an effort round Reus and in, but VAR once again intervened, adjudging the Germany international to be interfering with play from an offside position. Six minutes were added on for all the stoppages, but Dortmund held on to beat the league leaders and climb to within a point of the summit.
