Fullkrug rescues Werder Bremen with stoppage-time leveller at Dortmund

Niclas Fullkrug scored in stoppage time as Werder Bremen came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund appeared set to preserve their perfect start after Daniel Svensson and Nico Schlotterbeck struck within five minutes of each other in the second half. But Ludovit Reis reduced the deficit in the 88th minute before Fullkrug headed in a late equaliser against his former club.

The home side controlled possession during a subdued opening period. Marcel Sabitzer sent an effort over the crossbar before hitting the stanchion with a free-kick, while Maximilian Beier was also denied by an outstanding one-handed save from Bremen goalkeeper Karl Hein.

Hein remained influential after the interval, keeping out attempts from Schlotterbeck and Arsenal loanee Ethan Nwaneri. At the other end, Fullkrug came close to scoring against Dortmund, but Gregor Kobel saved his close-range effort.

Nwaneri appeared to have produced a spectacular overhead-kick finish, only for the goal to be disallowed because of an infringement in the penalty area.

Dortmund finally broke through on the counter-attack. Serhou Guirassy advanced down the right before sending the ball into the box, where Fabio Silva’s scuffed attempt fell to Svensson. The defender slid in to score and mark his 50th Bundesliga appearance with a goal.

Schlotterbeck extended the hosts’ advantage five minutes later, rising to meet Joey Veerman’s corner and head the ball past Hein.

Bremen responded strongly. A misplaced pass from Schlotterbeck presented Reis with possession, and he drove the ball beyond Kobel to give the visitors hope of a comeback.

That comeback was completed in added time when Marco Grull floated a delivery into the area. Fullkrug met it with a powerful header to extend his scoring run to four consecutive Bundesliga matches.

The striker, who is on loan from West Ham, said the atmosphere had reminded him of his previous European experiences with Dortmund.

“It felt a little bit like a Champions League night, like the ones I experienced with BVB in the past,” Fullkrug said. “We showed so much commitment in our performance tonight.”

He said Bremen’s approach had changed after they fell two goals behind.

“After conceding twice, we had to open up a bit and push further forward. That gave us a new lease of life, which was incredible. Full credit to the team for that performance.”

Fullkrug insisted scoring against Dortmund was less important than securing a point, while revealing that the equaliser came from a set-piece routine Bremen had practised.

“The fact that I scored against BVB doesn’t matter to me. What matters is that we came away with a point,” he said.

The draw leaves Dortmund frustrated after losing a two-goal lead, while Bremen’s latest recovery provides further confidence following another impressive fightback at the Westfalenstadion.

Werder will next play newly promoted Paderborn. Fullkrug will return to Dortmund later this month when the teams meet again in the DFB-Pokal.