Jurgen Klopp's final Bundesliga game in charge of Borussia Dortmund appears to be ending in positive fashion, with the Yellows holding a 3-1 lead over Werder Bremen at the break.
It was a fast-paced start to proceedings by Dortmund, who rattled the woodwork in just the ninth minute.
A neat passing move involving Shinji Kagawa and Marco Reus freed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but despite getting the better of visiting goalkeeper Koen Casteels, the Gabon international's shot struck the post.
However, Dortmund did not have to wait too much longer for the deadlock to be broken.
Reported Manchester United and Barcelona transfer target Ilkay Gundogan picked out Kagawa, who skipped beyond a couple of challenges before powering in his shot into the net in the 15th minute.
Then, just two minutes later, it was 2-0 to the hosts. On this occasion Aubameyang found the back of the net, having been played through by goalscorer Kagawa.
Yet just when it appeared that Klopp was cruising to victory in his final match in charge, Bremen hit back in the 25th minute. Levin Oztunali cut inside Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and with few teammates in support, the winger dispatched a curling shot that left Roman Weidenfeller in the home goal no chance.
Dortmund's two-goal advantage would be extended shortly before the break, though, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan darted into the box to meet Kagawa's volleyed pass, which he clipped into the back of the net.
