Borussia Dortmund continued their unbeaten start to 2023 going with another important win over RB Leipzig in the race for the Bundesliga crown.
Marco Reus and Emre Can got on the scoresheet for the hosts during the 2-1 which provisionally takes them to the top of the league table ahead of Bayern Munich.
Dortmund’s streak of nine wins out of nine matches looked to be in trouble early on as Christopher Nkunku, in his first start since November, almost put Leipzig ahead twice but failed to hit the target.
The hosts then went ahead against the run of play in the 21st minute after keeper Janis Blaswich brought down Reus and the German scored from the penalty spot and move into second place on the club’s all-time scorers’ list with his 159th goal.
Their second goal was fortuitous as well after Can’s shot from 20 metres took a slight deflection and nestled into the back of the net in the 39th minute.
Edin Terzić’s men slacked off after the break allowing Leipzig to regain composure once again.
Emil Forsberg made them pay in the 74th minute to cue a tense final 15 minutes for each side.
A flurry of late chances fell to Leipzig but Timo Werner and Forsberg could not find an equaliser for their side giving Dortmund their 10th win in as many games.
The win takes them above Bayern Munich in the league table with 49 points from 23 games but Munich has a game in hand. Leipzig remains 4th with 42 points from 23 matches.
The current Bundesliga leaders will now look to add to their win streak against Chelsea in the second leg of their tie in the Champions League.