Lewandowski inspires

Poland international Lewandowski fired in from a tight angle in the first half as hosts Dortmund initially attacked at will with Hanover's busy schedule including Europa League matches looking to have sapped their energy.

The 23-year-old then took his league tally to 16 goals, sliding in 10 minutes after the restart for his second.

Substitute Didier Ya Konan cut the deficit on the hour for the visitors but Dortmund's Ivan Perisic struck in stoppage time to extend the hosts' unbeaten run to 17 games and lift them to 52 points.

"We played a very good game and it was only down to us that we did not decide it in our favour much earlier," said Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp.