Robert Lewandowski made the difference against Bayer 04 Leverkusen as Borussia Dortmund surrendered a two-goal lead before prevailing 3-2 to climb above their opponents into second spot in the Bundesliga.

The contest was just three minutes old when Marco Reus combined with Lewandowski and finished with aplomb. Jakub Błaszczykowski's coolly converted penalty made it two, before Stefan Reinartz gave Leverkusen hope 13 minutes after the restart.

The same player levelled soon after, but in the blink of an eye Dortmund were back in front courtesy of Lewandowski. Błaszczykowski added fuel to the drama by missing a second penalty, yet his blushes were spared as the visitors held on for a fourth consecutive league success that moved them within 12 points of leaders FC Bayern München.

In Sunday's early kick-off, VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach tasted defeat for the first time in 2013 at 1. FC Nürnberg. First-half strikes from Timmy Simons and Tomáš Pekhart put the hosts in control, while Patrick Herrmann's second goal in as many games for Mönchengladbach proved in vain.