Niclas Fuellkrug's hat-trick propelled Borussia Dortmund to a 3-1 victory over Bochum on Sunday, propelling the home team into the top four of the Bundesliga.
Fuellkrug initiated the scoring with a penalty just six minutes into the game, but Bochum managed to equalise late in the first half thanks to an own goal from Dortmund's defender Nico Schlotterbeck.
In the second half, Fuellkrug regained the lead for Dortmund with a header, and he sealed the win with another penalty in injury time.
Dortmund, who started 2024 trailing six points behind the Champions League qualification spots, have now surpassed RB Leipzig and claimed a spot in the top four. They are only one point behind third-placed Stuttgart.
Fuellkrug gave Dortmund an early advantage by converting a penalty after Bochum goalkeeper Manuel Riemann fouled Donyell Malen in the box. Despite some unconvincing moments, Dortmund remained in control. However, a comical own goal by Schlotterbeck allowed Bochum to level the score.
Young striker Youssoufa Moukoko had close chances, but it was Fuellkrug who secured Dortmund's lead with a header following excellent work from English winger Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Bynoe-Gittens later earned a late penalty, which Fuellkrug converted to complete his third Bundesliga hat-trick.
The defeat leaves Bochum just two places above the relegation spots, but they still maintain an eight-point buffer.
In another match, a second-half goal from Benedict Hollerbach secured Union Berlin a narrow 1-0 home win over bottom-placed Darmstadt, extending their lead to five points above the relegation zone. Union's manager, Nenad Bjelica, was serving a three-match suspension, and Hollerbach's goal made the difference, ensuring the victory.
Sporting director Oliver Ruhnert, however, expressed uncertainty about Bjelica's return to the dugout due to his altercation with Leroy Sane, stating that Union was "very unhappy with the action and did not agree with it in any way." Despite the win, Union Berlin may face further challenges in the German capital.
