Bundesliga roundup: Dortmund beat Schalke 2-1 in Ruhr derby

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Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho netted a late goal to give the Bundesliga leaders a 2-1 win at bitter rivals Schalke 04 in the Ruhr valley derby on Saturday and send them nine points clear.

The 18-year-old, who has scored five goals and set up six in a sparkling season so far, started a quick move down the left and then deftly slotted home the winner in the 74th minute to give Dortmund their first win over Schalke since 2015.

England international Sancho had missed training earlier this week to return to England due to a death in the family.

"It was a very hard week for him," said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre. "Jadon returned from London only yesterday evening. But he really wanted to play."

Jadon Sancho of Borussia Dortmund in action during the Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund at the Veltins Arena in Dortmund, Germany, December 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

Dortmund's Thomas Delaney had earlier silenced the 60,000-crowd with a glancing header in the seventh minute after Marco Reus whipped a free kick into the box.

Bundesliga leading scorer Paco Alcacer then came close with a powerful shot as the visitors confirmed their title favorites tag with a dominant opening period.

The Royal Blues' fate looked to have been sealed late in the first half when their last fit forward, Guido Burgstaller, who had their best chance on the half-hour, had to go off injured.

Borussia Dortmund celebrate in front of Schalke 04's fans in Ruhr derby at the Veltins Arena in Dortmund, Germany, December 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

However, last season's runners-up, already missing injured forwards Mark Uth, Franco di Santo, and Breel Embolo, earned a surprise penalty to level through Daniel Caligiuri on the hour.

Sancho then completed another fine performance to secure a fifth straight league win that lifted undefeated Dortmund to 36 points, while Schalke dropped to 13th on 14 points.

"Schalke were well organized and it was hard in the first half," said Favre, who is now unbeaten in his 14 league games in charge of Dortmund. "My team stuck with it after the penalty and that was crucial. We deserved the win today."

Bayern come up

Defending champions Bayern Munich bagged their second win in a row, as Robert Lewandowski's brace was enough to seal the eighth victory of the season by 3-0 against Nuremberg.

The hosts ensured a quick start on home soil as Lewandowski needed only nine minutes to break the deadlock after heading home Joshua Kimmich's corner kick.

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich plays the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FC Nuernberg at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, December 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

Bayern gained momentum and should have doubled the lead but Nuremberg goalkeeper Fabian Bredlow tipped Franck Ribery's effort to the woodwork moments later.

The goalkeeper was hapless in the 27th minute though as Lewandowski capitalized on Leon Goretzka's shot on target that dropped off the bar to poke home from very close range.

The second half started nearly like the first half but this time Bredlow kept out Kimmich's effort in the opening period.

Bayern kept it bowling whereas Nuremberg defended deep to avoid a higher defeat. Nevertheless, the German record champions were able to add another goal to their lead as Ribery beat Bredlow from close range in the 56th minute.

The hosts protected their lead to the end and moved on the second place of the table meanwhile Nuremberg slipped to the 16th place, which is a relegation playoff spot.

Freiburg's forward Luca Waldschmidt (R) and Leipzig's Brazilan forward Cunha Matheus vie for the ball during the Bundesliga football match SC Freiburg vs RB Leipzig in Freiburg, Germany, December 8, 2018. /VCG Photo

Elsewhere, Werder Bremen beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 3-1 on Friday night, and Freiburg upset third-placed Leipzig 3-0. Hoffenheim rallied back from two goals down to secure a two-all draw with Wolfsburg. Lucas Alario's sole goal helped Leverkusen to down Augsburg and Hertha Berlin beat Eintracht Frankfurt 1-0.

The following fixtures conclude the 14th round for Sunday: Mainz host Hannover and Monchengladbach see Stuttgart.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency