BERLIN, Nov 30 (Reuters) – RB Leipzig overcame a comeback from promoted Paderborn to hold on to a 3-2 victory on Saturday and climb to the top of the Bundesliga while 10-man Borussia Dortmund spoiled Juergen Klinsmann’s debut as Hertha Berlin coach with a 2-1 away win.
Leipzig opened their account in the third minute with a Patrick Schick goal and doubled their lead through Marcel Sabitzer a minute later. Timo Werner made it 3-0 in the 26th minute as they looked to be cruising to a comfortable win.
But Paderborn pulled one back just past the hour through Streli Mamba and Klaus Gjasula also scored in the 73rd to set up a tense finale.
Yet Leipzig held on to move up to 27 points, two ahead of Borussia Moenchengladbach, who take on Freiburg on Sunday.
Bayern Munich, on 24 points, entertain Bayer Leverkusen later on Saturday.
Dortmund gave their embattled coach Lucien Favre some respite at Hertha, despite having to play the second half with 10 men after the dismissal of Mats Hummels for a second booking on the stroke of halftime.
They were 2-1 ahead at the time after striking twice in two minutes in the first half with Jadon Sancho slotting home in the 16th minute and Thorgan Hazard grabbing their second soon after.
Hertha, with new coach Klinsmann on the bench, pulled one back through Vladimir Darida’s deflected effort in the 34th minute but despite a frantic final 20 minutes they could not find an equaliser.
Dortmund, who earned their first win in three league games, climbed to fifth on 23 points. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann Editing by Ian Chadband)