A fifth consecutive league victory moved Niko Kovac's side to 48 points, within a victory of erstwhile runaway leaders Bayern, who can restore their six-point cushion with victory at in-form Hoffenheim on Sunday. After a record-breaking start to the season, the champions are winless in their last two games, giving Dortmund the chance to dream of a first title since 2012 with 13 games to go.

It was not a vintage display by Dortmund, but they ground out victory against a Wolfsburg team who have only won once since the turn of the year thanks to goals by Julian Brandt and Guirassy, either side of a Konstantinos Koulierakis leveller for the hosts.

Max Beier almost put Dortmund ahead in the first half but his first-time shot from Julian Ryerson's low cross was deflected by Denis Vavro's last-ditch block and onto the underside of the bar. But the Wolves failed to heed that warning when a few minutes later Dortmund went ahead.

Ryerson's 38th-minute corner from the left found Brandt at the near post and the Germany international out-leaped substitute Jan Buerger to nod in. Dortmund's advantage was erased seven minutes into the second half when Koulierakis chose the perfect moment to score his first goal for Wolfsburg, powering in a header from close range.

With 15th-placed Wolfsburg only a few minutes away from securing a precious point, Dortmund produced a silky winner after Guirassy capped fine play by Felix Nmecha and Fabio Silva. The Guinean supplied a fine left-footed finish in the 87th minute to ensure it was a winning return to his former club for Dortmund coach Kovac.

K. Koulierakis

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