Dortmund edge title rivals Bayern

Borussia Dortmund moved a step closer to a successful defence of their Bundesliga title thanks to a win over their nearest rivals, Bayern Munich, last night.

A goal from Robert Lewandowski in the 77th minute gave the Westphalians a six-point lead in the Bundesliga with four games of the season still to play.

Bayern had chances to open up the title race, but Arjen Robben’s penalty miss late on may prove costly as Dortmund edge closer to the title.

Dortmund received 450,000 ticket requests for the game, with over 80,000 lucky souls packed inside the Westfalenstadion and a huge TV audience seeing the hosts start brightly.

Bayern began the second half stronger, causing Dortmund their first real problems of the game until Lewandowski struck in the 77th minute to give the defending champions the lead. Perisic played a quick free-kick to Grosskreutz, whose shot was intentionally deflected past Neuer.

Bayern missed a glorious opportunity to level in the 86th minute when Roman Weidenfeller brought Robben down inside the penalty area. Robben stepped up to the spot, but Weidenfeller dived the right way to save.

Bayern lost belief and Lewandowski struck the crossbar late on before the final whistle went, to end a dramatic encounter and leave Dortmund on course for the title.