A force transformed from relegation candidates to European contenders under Xabi Alonso’s stewardship, Bayer Leverkusen aimed to win a sixth successive league match against a Dortmund side that had won both games since returning to action after the World Cup.
Boosted by form and confidence, the hosts played at a quick tempo from the very outset, and cut open Dortmund early on when Florian Wirtz’s defence-splitting pass put Moussa Diaby in on goal. However, the Frenchman was denied by a brilliant Gregor Kobel save.
Dortmund gradually grew into the game after that early scare, and managed to score with their first attempt on target.
Aiming to end Leverkusen's impressive run of successive home league clean sheets at three, Julian Brandt produced a low cross that picked out Karim Adeyemi in the box.
In turn, he showed great composure to find the bottom corner, scoring his first Bundesliga goal since joining the club from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer to secure a half-time lead.
Never ones to give up a good fight, Leverkusen started on top in the second half and Diaby was yet again denied by Kobel, who did well to parry away his low shot.
However, the visitors were by far their most dangerous after sustaining a period of intense pressure, and doubled their advantage in a similar vein.
Brandt’s low cross once again caused havoc in the Leverkusen penalty area, but this time Edmond Tapsoba was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net for 2-0.
The same combination almost sealed the game for Dortmund when Brandt's cross bounced off Tapsoba and looked to be trickling in, but Jeremie Frimpong did brilliantly to clear the ball off the line.
Kobel then completed his hat-trick of impressive saves against Diaby when he somehow managed to block a low shot in the latter stages of the game, but the points were long won and lost, and this result sees Dortmund return to the Champions League places in fourth.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen remain in ninth.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund)