An injury-hit Borussia Dortmund fired three past their relegation-fighting counterparts on a sunny day at the Westfalen. The atmosphere heightened by Jürgen Klopp's emotional decision during the week was further charged by goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Shinji Kagawa.
Matthias Ginter, being deployed as the makeshift defensive midfielder tested Lukas Kruse from range with a well-struck effort early on. Before Sokratis Papastathopoulos nodded an Eric Durm effort wide following a corner.
Ilkay Gündogan then did well to dribble around a few challenges in a congested Paderborn half but saw his snatched effort drift just wide.
The visitors survived and started to come back into the game with two shouts for a penalty turned down. Despite this, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang then had two great opportunities in quick succession. The first volleying wide Gündogan’s lobbed pass from inside the area before going one-on-one with Kruse who parried his attempted chip.
In the opening seconds after the break, Mkhitaryan fired a hopeful shot that was comfortably saved by Kruse.
The Armenian did not have to wait long for a goal as he met Aubameyang’s cross with a thumping header to give his side the lead.
The away side were rattled and Dortmund took advantage, Ginter’s tenacity and poked through ball put Aubameyang through again and this time the Gabonese international successfully chipped Kruse to double the advantage.
Klopp’s side surged forward with confidence and momentum behind them, there were chances for both Ginter and Jakub Blaszczykowski.
A third looked inevitable and became reality when Kagawa went through on goal and showed fine balance and composure to roll the ball in for his third goal of the season.
After that, the last 10 minutes was comfortable for the hosts Brych brought the game to a close for a morale-boosting win after a difficult week.