Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho on target as 10-man Borussia Dortmund survive Werder Bremen scare

First-half goals from Donyell Malen and Jadon Sancho helped Borussia Dortmund claim all three points against Werder Bremen despite Marcel Sabitzer's sending off.

It may have been ugly, but Borussia Dortmund managed to get the job done once again as they beat Werder Bremen 2-1. The win helped the Black and Yellows maintain control of fourth place in the Bundesliga standings.

Donyell Malen opened the scoring for Borussia Dortmund in the 21st minute, before Jadon Sancho's first goal of the season doubled their lead. Werder Bremen then pulled a goal back through Justin Njinmah following Marcel Sabitzer's sending off. But BVB managed to cling on for the three points.

Malen returned straight into the starting XI after serving his one-match suspension, while Gregor Kobel started in goal after overcoming his injury. And both returnees made a big impact in the first-half, with the latter making a couple of crucial saves before the former opened the scoring with a spectacular scissor kick.

Jadon Sancho then showed his class, as he blazed his way past a Bremen defender before finding the bottom corner. The Englishman's first goal of the season helped Borussia Dortmund double their lead in the 38th minute.

With a two-goal cushion in hand, it appeared as though Borussia Dortmund would cruise to victory. But the game was turned on its head on the stroke of half-time, as Marcel Sabitzer was shown a straight red card for a sloppy challenge.

Edin Terzic decided to park the bus in the second-half in a bid to protect their lead. But Werder Bremen managed to halve the deficit in the 70th minute, with former BVB youth team player Justin Njinmah scoring to ensure a nervy end to the game.

Werder Bremen dominated proceedings, but were unable to find a late equaliser. The ten men of Borussia Dortmund managed to cling on for the win, with the opponent's poor finishing coming to their aid once again.

Borussia Dortmund certainly had to overcome a lot of adversity to get the three points against Werder Bremen, and the result will come as a huge boost for the club. Two massive games await BVB next week as they take on PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League tie, before hosting Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.