HAMBURG, Germany :Serhou Guirassy and Karim Adeyemi scored second-half goals as Borussia Dortmund won 2-0 at St Pauli in a Bundesliga clash on Saturday and claimed back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.
Dortmund, who have endured a difficult campaign, remain in 10th place with 35 points from 24 matches, three behind sixth-placed RB Leipzig in the last European football spot.
St Pauli dominated possession in the opening stages but Alexander Blessin’s side, who have scored the fewest goals in the league this season, were unable to make the most of the string of half chances they created.
Dortmund lacked fluency and invention in the first half, with their best chance coming in stoppage time when Adeyemi latched on to a ball that went over the top of St Pauli’s defence, but the winger’s shot went narrowly wide.
The visitors came back with more intensity following the interval and were quickly rewarded when Guirassy tapped in Adeyemi’s pass in the 51st minute for his 14th league goal of the season.
Niko Kovac’s team doubled their advantage seven minutes later thanks to a superb solo goal from Adeyemi, who picked up the ball near the halfway line, outmuscled defender Philipp Treu and turned midfielder Eric Smith before slotting home.
Adeyemi squandered a chance to add to his tally in the 72nd minute when he blazed a shot over the crossbar from close range, while Guirassy also had a goal disallowed for offside.
Dortmund, who face Ligue 1 side Lille in a Champions League last-16 first-leg clash on Tuesday, eased off the gas in the last 20 minutes.
Substitute Danel Sinani almost got a goal back for the hosts in the 87th minute, letting fly from distance to force a sharp save out of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
St Pauli’s fourth straight league defeat left them in 15th place, four points clear of VfL Bochum in the relegation playoff spot.
