Striker Niclas Fullkrug scored a hat-trick to give hosts Borussia Dortmund a 3-1 victory over VfL Bochum in the Ruhr Valley derby on Sunday and move them into the top four with their third consecutive league win this year.
German striker Fullkrug opened the scoring with a penalty in the seventh minute to put the hosts ahead.
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They seemed to be in complete control until a series of defensive errors on the stroke of half-time sent Bochum's Patrick Osterhage through. His cutback was converted into an own goal by defender Nico Schlotterbeck in the Dortmund goal.
Dortmund's Youssoufa Moukoko wasted several golden chances after the break and it was Fuellkrug who restored order, rising above two defenders to head in Marcel Sabitzer's cross in the 72nd.
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images
He completed his hat-trick in added time with a well-taken second penalty, his ninth league goal of the season.
The result puts Dortmund in fourth place with 36 points, leaving RB Leipzig in fifth place with 33. The top four teams automatically qualify for next season's Champions League group stage.
VfB Stuttgart are third with 37 points after their 5-2 victory over Leipzig on Saturday. Bayer Leverkusen is the leader with 49.
