The magnitude of the fixture was reflected in the opening exchanges, with neither side able to stamp their authority on proceedings.
Despite this, Dortmund thought they’d found an early breakthrough when Julian Brandt converted from a sublime Jude Bellingham pass, however, VAR quickly intervened to disallow the goal for handball.
Any lingering frustration for the hosts was soon alleviated in the 20th minute, when Marco Reus coolly slotted home from the penalty spot after Janis Blaswich tripped the Dortmund captain.
The strike saw the ever-reliable Reus become Die Borussen’s joint second all-time goalscorer on 159, tied with the legendary Michael Zorc.
Having tasted defeat just once in their previous 15 league matches, Leipzig looked to respond in typically impressive fashion, but Marcel Halstenberg volleyed their best opportunity over the bar when well-placed at the back post.
This gave the hosts further encouragement in front of a fervent home support, and Dortmund duly doubled their advantage six minutes before halftime.
A poor set-piece delivery from Brandt was cleared to Emre Can on the edge of the box, and the German midfielder fired a powerful strike that proved too hot to handle for Blaswich, giving the hosts a commanding two-goal lead going into the interval.
The visitors emerged after the restart eager to gain a foothold in the contest, and looked notably sharper on the ball, as Andre Silva directed a superb effort with the outside of his foot narrowly wide of the post.
Having lost influential keeper Gregor Kobel shortly before kick-off due to muscular problems, Dortmund continued to keep Leipzig at bay, with Kobel’s replacement, Alexander Meyer, doing well to thwart Silva from close range.
However, the visitors finally made their pressure pay with 16 minutes remaining, as Emil Forsberg tapped home from David Raum’s cut-back to set up a fascinating finale.
With so much on the line, both managers turned to their respective benches in the hope of finding a late piece of inspiration, and despite some desperate last-ditch defending, it was the hosts who held firm to secure the vital points.
The result sees Dortmund move three points clear of 2nd-placed Bayern Munich with a 10th consecutive win across all competitions, while Leipzig remain 4th, having suffered just their second defeat in 16 Bundesliga matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
