Marco Reus scored twice as Borussia Monchengladbach returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Hannover.
Reus opened the scoring for Gladbach in the 21st minute and, after Hannover had equalised through Emanuel Pogatetz five minutes later, the striker struck a second time in the 51st minute to give his side the victory.
Gladbach had not won in their last three matches but moved on to 20 points to remain among the leading teams.
Hannover have collected just one point in their last four away matches and stay on 18 points.
Gladbach took the lead as Mike Hanke played a ball down the right wing into the run of Reus who turned in and struck a left-foot shot just inside the near right post.
Hannover drew level soon after though as Pogatetz made good his mistake for not stopping Reus on his goal with a header from a Christian Pander free-kick.
Gladbach nearly reclaimed the lead in the 35th minute but Juan Arango's free-kick went just wide of the right post.
Gladbach keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a superb save from Pander's long bouncing free-kick two minutes after the re-start.
And Reus rewarded his keeper's efforts six minutes after half-time by putting Gladbach back ahead. Arango volleyed a pass to Reus who turned in from the left side and from the edge of the area blasted his shot just inside the near left post.
The ball was in the net five minutes later for Hannover but the goal was disallowed as Mohammed Abdellaoue was ruled offside.
Hannover were unable to create much in attack after that, although Ter Stegen was forced to charge out to clear a dangerous ball with 15 minutes to play.
