Borussia Dortmund 4-1 Hertha Berlin: Hosts go level on points with Bayern Munich at top of Bundesliga with fine win

Borussia Dortmund moved into second in the Bundesliga table with a 4-1 win over Hertha Berlin.

Goals from Karim Adeyemi and Donyell Malen in the first half and a Marco Reus free-kick, as well as a close-range finish from Julian Brandt in the second, proved the difference to extend Dortmund’s winning streak in the Bundesliga to six matches.

Union Berlin’s goalless draw with Schalke earlier in the afternoon means Dortmund move into second on goal difference on 43 points.

It is also goal difference which separates them from league leaders Bayern Munich as the title race begins to hot up. Hertha, meanwhile, stay in 17th on 17 points; two points off safety.

Four minutes later and Adeyemi turned provider for Dortmund’s second. He burst down the left flank and crossed for Malen at the far post who slotted his finish away for his first Bundesliga goal of the season.

Unfortunately for Adeyemi, he picked up a hamstring injury as he played the cross and had to be substituted.

Hertha pulled a goal back just a minute into the second half through Lucas Tousart who scored from close range, but Reus restored Dortmund’s two-goal advantage with a finely taken free-kick on the edge of the box in the 76th minute.

Brandt scored Dortmund’s fourth in the 88th minute. Substitute Jamie Bynoe-Gittens went on a mazy run and slipped in Brandt who applied the simple finish into the bottom corner.

TALKING POINT – Dortmund firmly in the title race

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Karim Adeyemi

Although Adeyemi had to come off injured with a hamstring injury in the first half, the 21-year-old has impressed in recent weeks. On Sunday he got a fine goal and produced an assist that ultimately kick-started Dortmund on their way to a convincing victory.

PLAYER RATINGS

Borussia Dortmund: Kobel (7), Wolf (6), Hummels (6), Schlotterbeck (6), Ryerson (6), Brandt (6), Ozcan (5), Can (6), Reus (7), Adeyemi (7), Malen (7)

Subs: Bynoe-Gittens (7), Bellingham (6), Haller (6), Sule (N/A)

Hertha Berlin: Christensen (6), Uremovic (5), Kempf (5), Dardai (5), Richter (6), Cigerci (5), Plattenhardt (5), Tousart (6), Serdar (5), Ngankam (6), Niederlechner (5)

Subs: Boetius (5), Lukebakio (5), Scherhant (5), Rogel (4), Boateng (N/A)

KEY MOMENTS

27′ – GOAL! ADEYEMI PUTS DORTMUND IN FRONT! On the counter-attack, Reus’ shot takes a deflection and Adeyemi shows great improvsation to back-heel the ball into the net! A brilliant goal! Dortmund are ahead!

31′ – ANOTHER DORTMUND GOAL! MALEN EXTENDS THEIR LEAD! Adeyemi’s electric pace sees him burst down the left flank. He crosses in for Malen at the far post who taps into the net! Adeyemi could be seen feeling his hamstring as he went to cross it.

46′ – GOAL FOR HERTHA! The visitors have pulled a goal back! It’s a well-worked goal as Serdar lays the ball out to Tousart to slot into the net from close range.

76′ – GOAL! REUS WITH A MARVELLOUS FREE-KICK! Reus restores Dortmund’s two goal lead! He curls his free kick and it arrows into the top corner!

90′ – GOAL! BRANDT SCORES A FOURTH FOR DORTMUND! It’s the fine work of Bynoe-Gittens which is the crucial factor here. He goes on a mazy run and slips in Brandt who slots his finish into the bottom corner. An easy afternoon’s work for Dortmund!

KEY STATS