Champions League hopefuls Borussia Monchengladbach have taken a comfortable 2-0 lead into the half-time break against Borussia Dortmund.

The hosts were ahead inside the first minute when Patrick Herrmann sprinted into space to set up Max Kruse, whose effort was pushed away by Roman Weidenfeller and Oscar Wendt reacted quickest to break the deadlock with a calm finish.

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Dortmund could have hit back moments later, but Mats Hummels could only send a header straight at Yann Sommer after finding the space to meet a corner.

Despite being forced to operate on the counter-attack for much of the first half, Gladbach rarely looked troubled as Dortmund found it difficult to create clear opportunities.

Lucien Favre's side doubled their advantage before the break, and it was the influential Herrmann who created the goal again as he carried the ball over the halfway line before picking out Raffael, who tapped home to the delight of the home fans.