Dortmund had missed an opportunity to go level on points with Bayern Munich when they twice squandered the lead at Stuttgart last weekend, but Bayern’s loss to Mainz earlier on Saturday presented Die Schwarzgelben with a golden chance to ascend to the top of the Bundesliga outright.
Play started frantically, with plenty of attacking threat on display from both sides, but it was the cool head of Jude Bellingham which put the home side in front. After receiving a pass from Julian Brandt on the edge of the box, the England international spun on a sixpence to wrong-foot Christopher Lenz and calmly shoot into the bottom corner.
Dortmund consolidated their lead just five minutes later, as a towering header from Karim Adeyemi released Donyell Malen ahead of the defenders, and the Dutch marksman made it five goals in as many Bundesliga games as he volleyed past Kevin Trapp.
Despite their two-goal lead, there was clear nervousness on display from Edin Terzic’s men, as the Frankfurt frontline showed they had the ability to get back in the game, and Gregor Kobel was tested by Eric Dina Ebimbe.
However, the win for Dortmund was all but ensured before half-time, with Mats Hummels directing Raphael Guerreiro’s cross inside Trapp’s near post.
The second period began just as the first had ended. While still looking fragile at the back, Dortmund were ruthless going forward, and chances rained down on the Frankfurt goal. Trapp had to be on top form to deny Bellingham his second, while Sébastien Haller’s header flew wide of the mark.
It was only as Frankfurt started to forge some of their own chances that Der BVB found the net once more. A fluid attacking move ended with Adeyemi playing through Malen for the second time in the game, and once again the Dutchman produced a pinpoint finish into the far corner.
The fourth goal spelt the end of any intent from the visitors, and the black-and-yellow rearguard ensured they cruised to an emphatic victory.
As the wait for a league win goes on for free-falling Frankfurt, Dortmund fans will dare to dream that their side can finally overthrow Bayern’s 10-year reign. With just one point between Germany’s two most storied clubs with five matches remaining, Die Borussen look more likely than ever that they can return to the glory of the 2011/12 campaign and bring the Meisterschale back to the Ruhr.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund)
