Germany forward Karim Adeyemi's first Bundesliga goal of the season has helped Borussia Dortmund beat Union Berlin 2-0 and ease some of the pressure on coach Edin Terzic.
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Adeyemi's brilliant 41st-minute strike and a last-gasp goal from Ian Maatsen kept Dortmund in fourth place, one point ahead of Leipzig, who came from behind to beat Bochum 4-1 away.
"We shouldn't forget that he's had a difficult phase and this is his first game from the start in a very, very long time," Terzic said after Adeyemi's first start since November because of injuries.
"And that was also his first Bundesliga goal this season. It's hard to imagine when you know his qualities, his potential.
"We hope we can use it as a kick-starter."
Inconsistent Dortmund lost at home to Hoffenheim last weekend and had won only one of their last five games across all competitions before Saturday.
Adeyemi, replacing Marco Reus in the side, scored with a fine strike off the underside of the crossbar and Maatsen sealed victory in the 90th minute with his first goal for Dortmund.
"We stick together, we fight for each other, we showed that today and we won here," Maatsen said.
"We want to keep this winning feeling."
Leipzig came from behind after Maximilian Wittek opened the scoring for Bochum in the seventh minute.
Dani Olmo equalised in the 30th, before three goals in four minutes midway through the second half completed the turnaround.
To complete a poor day for Bochum, the hosts had Moritz-Broni Kwarteng dismissed in the closing stages, just 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Serhou Guirassy scored twice, once from the penalty spot, as Stuttgart held on to consolidate third place and boost their chances of Champions League qualification with a 3-2 win at Wolfsburg.
The Guinea international took his tally to 20 goals in 18 league appearances this season.
Stuttgart remain six points clear of Dortmund and have cut the gap on second-placed Bayern Munich to four points.
Eintracht Frankfurt won at promoted Heidenheim 2-1, Borussia Monchengladbach drew at relegation-threatened Mainz 1-1 and Augsburg enjoyed a 6-0 rout of Darmstadt - who remain bottom, 12 points from safety.
Australian Associated Press
