Late show from Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inspired a 3-1 win over Schalke 04 in the Ruhr Derby on Saturday.
Aubameyang and Reus opted for Batman and Robin props in celebrating the former’s after combining to break the deadlock in the 78th minute.
Hardworking midfielder Mkhitaryan slid in at the back post to double the Westfallians’ lead a minute later before Reus chased down and dispossessed teenage goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther to prod the ball into the net.
Dortmund have now won their fourth straight match and are up in the top half of the table again.
Dortmund wasted a plethora of chances in either half, as derby debutante and Schalke’s third choice goalkeeper Wellenreuther pulled off a smart save from Aubameyang, who was played in by Shinji Kagawa, in the opening minute.
More opportunities came begging for Jurgen Klopp’s men, with Reus well-taken volley missing target by a glimmer, Kagawa following suit and then Aubameyang fluffing two clear-cut chances- the second of which was blocked by Matija Nastasic.
An unmarked Nuri Sahin headed straight at Wellenreuther at the corner and Reus was left at the mercy of the woodwork as his rasping half-volley from the edge of the area came off the crossbar after deflecting off Roman Neustadter.
The second half began in the same breakneck pace as the first with the host continuing on the front foot.
Wellenreuther produced another terrific save to deny Reus, who got in the end of Sahin’s spectacular through ball across 40 yards, allowing Neustadter to beat Aubameyang to the rebound.
The Signa Iduna Park faithful were treated to an eight-minute flourish, beginning with the Gabonese forward who poked home from Reus’ assist.
Mkkhitaryan added a quick-fire second from Ilkay Gundogan’s inch-perfect delivery from the right before Reus complemented his outstanding performance with a deserved third.
Elsewhere, veteran Simon Rolfes’ first goal of the season helped Bayer Leverkusen scrape a 1-0 win against SC Freiburg at the Bay Arena.
Leverkusen are up to fourth in the Bundesliga standings, disposing Schalke.
