Borussia Dortmund moved three points clear at the top of the German Bundesliga after completing their fourth successive league victory thanks to second-half strikes by Sebastian Kehl and Lucas Barrios against 1. FC Nürnburg.

In an open first half, the German champions were lucky not to go behind as Nürnburg threatened from a flurry of set-pieces. Roman Weidenfeller did well to deny Domenic Maroh's snapshot early on, while Shinji Kagawa rescued his side when heading off the line moments later. At the other end Robert Lewandowski was twice denied by Raphael Schäfer, who was sent scrambling back to clutch a clever flick by Kagawa on the stroke of half-time.

Dortmund had been growing in influence as the first half wore on and the second period was just three minutes old when they took the lead, Kehl side-footing in his second goal of the season after strong running down the right by Łukasz Piszczek. Nürnburg lost their spark thereafter and conceded a second goal when Barrios came off the bench to score his first goal in 16 appearances, after another swift counterattrack.

FC Bayern München and FC Schalke 04 will aim to join Jürgen Klopp's side at the top on Saturday with wins against Hamburger SV and 1. FSV Mainz 05 respectively.