Runaway Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund continued their fine form by defeating Werder Bremen with goals in either half at Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund retained their 11 point lead at the summit of the table after unanswered efforts from Nuri Sahin, after nine minutes, and Shinji Kagawa 20 minutes from time. Werder appeared to have even more on their plate, with Marko Arnautovic surprisingly absent from the matchday squad and not thought to be injured.

The hosts had their first chance after five minutes, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lucas Barrios teeing up Kagawa at the far post, only for his shot to fly wide. Sahin broke the deadlock soon after, curling in a fine free-kick for just outside the box to leave goalkeeper Tim Wiese with no chance.

After 23 minutes Sahin lined up another free-kick from a similar position but this time presented Wiese with an easier save. Just before half-time an off-colour Werder finally had their first attempt, though Aaron Hunt was denied by the alert Roman Weidenfeller in the home goal.

Blaszczykowski almost created a second five minutes into the second half, but his low cross just evaded both Barrios and Kagawa. Weidenfeller kept out Werder moments later when he bravely charged down the onrushing Claudio Pizarro.

The visitors had another big chance after 69 minutes, Marko Marin's floated cross causing havoc in the penalty area and Petri Pasanen just failing to beat Weidenfeller to the loose ball at the far post.

Dortmund promptly doubled their lead at the other end of the pitch, Blaszczykowski's shot squirming loose following a smart stop by Wiese, only to be prodded home from close-range by the waiting Kagawa.