The German champions took the lead through Mario Goetze, and although they were soon pegged back by Sven Schipplock, Kevin Grosskreutz and Robert Lewandowski found the net in the second half to ensure victory.

Sunday's match started fairly slowly but Dortmund eventually found their stride in the 26th minute with Goetze dribbling in from the left wing before the German international found the top-right corner of the net.

The game began to open up and after a couple of half chances the hosts restored parity on 35 minutes through Schipplock, who tapped home the equaliser from close range.

Stand-in goalkeeper Koen Casteels impressed in between the posts for Hoffenheim but he was beaten for a second time two minutes shy of the hour mark when Grosskreutz netted his first goal of the campaign.

The onus was on Dortmund to take control of the clash and they soon secured all three points courtesy of Lewandowski, who rounded the keeper after 66 minutes.

Juergen Klopp's side rise to third, 12 points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim continue to languish in the bottom three heading into the winter break.

Meanwhile, Nils Petersen netted an 88th-minute equaliser as Werder Bremen salvaged a point at home to Nuremberg.

After a scoreless opening half, the visiting side finally broke the deadlock through Timo Gebhart in the 82nd minute before Petersen levelled the match with just two minutes remaining.