Darmstadt 98 0-3 Borussia Dortmund: Sancho assists on return in routine victory for visitors

Fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund eased past bottom club Darmstadt 98 3-0 away on Saturday, giving them a winning start to the new year, with Jadon Sancho setting up a goal on his return to the Ruhr valley club after a loan move from Manchester United.

The England international left Dortmund after four years to join Old Trafford in August 2021, but he struggled to establish himself as a regular and has made only three appearances this season after falling out with United manager Erik ten Hag.

But he looked right at home as Dortmund won their first league game in five as the Bundesliga resumed after a three-week winter break, with his assist for Marco Reus scoring between Julian Brandt's opener and Youssoufa Moukoko's late goal.

Dortmund now has 30 points, three behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig, which lost 1-0 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, and 15 back of league leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

"Ever since I've come back I have felt like at home and felt great to be on the pitch again," Sancho said. "It was meant to be, coming back and seeing Marco (Reus).

"I am just happy to set up his goal today," Sancho said, adding that his goal in Dortmund was to enjoy the game again.

He was an important member of Dortmund's first team from 2017 to 21, scoring 50 goals in just over 130 appearances, and he still has several goals to achieve.

Dortmund scored in the 24th minute after a superb solo run from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, which Brandt finished with a low shot.

Dortmund were forced to work hard for more than an hour, with Darmstadt creating chances and coming agonisingly close with a 63rd-minute Luca Pfeifer point-blank header that goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved with a reflex.

Dortmund sealed the win in the 76th minute when Sancho, who had come on in the 55th, was sent through and set up fellow substitute Reus for a simple tap-in.

Moukoko then made it 3-0 with a fine move in the box deep into stoppage time.

SportsLigue