BERLIN, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ten-man Borussia Dortmund defended their advantage to reap all three points at Hertha Berlin, and Leipzig craved out a 3-2 win over last placed Paderborn in Bundesliga on Saturday.
The early goals from Jadon Sancho and Thorgan Hazard helped Dortmund to secure a vital win despite playing with 10 men for the remainder of the second half.
Hertha started highly motivated into the encounter and tried to disrupt Dortmund's fast paced style of play.
However, the hosts were only able to keep Dortmund on the distance until the 15th minute before a diagonal pass from Julian Brandt allowed Jadon Sancho to slot home the opener from the inside left of the penalty box.
The "BVB" doubled their advantage only two minutes later to spoil Jurgen Klinsmann's debut. Achraf Hakimi ran down on the right wing and assist Thorgan Hazard, who tapped home from close range in the 17th minute.
Dortmund should have further extended their lead but Manuel Akanji headed into the arms of Berlin goalkeeper Thomas Kraft with 19 minutes played.
As the match progressed, Hertha slowly but surely recovered and came to chances as Dodi Lukebakio tested Dortmund custodian Roman Buerki twice at the half hour mark.
Berlin's efforts got eventually rewarded with 34 minutes played when Vladimir Darida deflected Lukebakio's shot on target to beat Buerki from very close range.
Jurgen Klinsmann's men grew in confidence and Dortmund suffered a setback before the break as Mats Hummels received his marching orders for his second bookable offence before the break.
After the restart, Hertha Berlin thought they had levelled the scores but Davie Selke's equalizer was ruled offside by the video assistant referee in the 48th minute.
The "Old Lady" kept it bowling and pressed relentlessly but their efforts remained fruitless as Lucien Favre's men were able to protect their narrow lead to the end.
With the win, Dortmund climb on the 5th place. Hertha slumped to the 16th position, which is a relegation play off spot.
Leipzig sealed the deal within the first half but they almost gave it away as resilient Paderborn fought back with two goals in the second half.
The visitors from Leipzig caught a perfect start on the road as Patrik Schick shrugged off two defenders and lobbed the ball into the net to open the scoring following Timo Werner's build up work with just three minutes played.
Leipzig remained on the front foot and doubled their lead only moments later as Nordi Mukiele intercepted a pass before setting up for Marcel Sabitzer, who did not hesitate to hammer home from the edge of the box.
Paderborn were unable to put up some resistance. In the 26th minute, Christoper Nkunu's pass into path allowed Werner to triple the lead.
After the break, Paderborn gained a foothold into the match even though Streli Mamba's goal was ruled offside with two minuets into the second half.
Mamba remained in the thick of things as he escaped Leipzig's defence to pull one back in the 62nd minute.
The hosts gained momentum and reduced the arrears once again after Klaus Gjasula poked home Christopher Antwi-Adjei's pass into the box nine minutes later.
Spirited Paderborn pressed forward but were unable to clinch a three-all draw on home soil.
With the result, Leipzig move on the first place for the moment while Paderborn stay on the last place of the Bundesliga standings.
Elsewhere, Rouwen Hennings' late equalizer secured Fortuna Dusseldorf a 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim and 10-man Augsburg were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Cologne.
