Felix Nmecha scored the only goal of the match as Borussia Dortmund beat Newcastle United 1-0 in the Champions League at St James' Park on Wednesday night.
BVB made the breakthrough just before the interval, and it was a deserved victory for the Bundesliga outfit, who have moved into second position in Group F on four points.
Newcastle are now third, also on four points, with the two sides two points ahead of fourth-placed AC Milan and two behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain in what is a fascinating section.
The two teams will lock horns again in Germany on November 7, with that match set to be crucial, especially as it comes ahead of a trip to PSG for Eddie Howe's side.
Dortmund had a brilliant chance to take the lead inside the first two minutes when Marius Wolf released Donyell Malen inside the Newcastle box, but the striker's low strike was well saved by Nick Pope.
The Magpies goalkeeper then made two excellent saves in quick succession in the 10th minute, first keeping out Malen's effort from a clever Marcel Sabitzer pass, before the England international denied Niclas Fullkrug, with BVB passing up three excellent chances early on.
Gregor Kobel was then called into action down the other end to deny Anthony Gordon after Alexander Isak had found his teammate with a pass into the Dortmund box.
Malen whistled one just wide of the Newcastle goal in the 15th minute, before Newcastle were forced into a change, with Callum Wilson replacing the injured Isak.
Malen continued to cause all sorts of problems to the home side's defence, twice having goal-bound shots blocked following quick counter-attacks from Dortmund, but the score remained level at the 30-minute mark.
Joelinton and Dan Burn had efforts for Newcastle late in the first period, but Dortmund deservedly took the lead in the 45th minute courtesy of a brilliant effort from Nmecha, who picked out the far corner from a Nico Schlotterbeck cross.
Wilson should have levelled the scores in the 57th minute when he found himself free inside the BVB box, but Kobel was on hand to make a wonderful point-blank save.
Newcastle were finally forcing it after a strong start to the second period from Dortmund, with Gordon then having an effort deflected wide of the post before attempting to get the crowd involved in the contest.
Sandro Tonali, who is facing a lengthy ban due to an investigation into alleged betting offences, was introduced for the final 25 minutes of the contest, with the Magpies looking for some inspiration.
Backed by a vocal crowd, it was all-action from Howe's side, but the better football was being played by Dortmund, who sat back late on and played on the break due to their pace in the final third of the field.
Wilson headed a Matt Targett free kick against the crossbar late on, before the home side had a shot from Gordon deflected onto the woodwork in stoppage time, with Dortmund having to survive two dangerous moments to claim a huge three points in the section. body check tags ::
