Borussia Dortmund have finished 2014 with another disappointing result as Werder Bremen survived a late onslaught to claim a 2-1 victory over their fellow Bundesliga strugglers.
It was the hosts who made a fast start as Santiago Garcia released Davie Selke, who showed great composure in the box to pick out the corner with a stylish finish in the third minute.
Chances were difficult to come by in the first half for Dortmund, who struggled to find space in the final third despite dominating possession following the early goal.
Melvyn Lorenzen went close to doubling Bremen's lead when his low strike drifted just wide of the target, after Dortmund had missed a number of chances to dispossess the winger.
After struggling to create opportunities in the first half, Jurgen Klopp introduced Shinji Kagawa at the break, and the Japan international had a great chance to get his side back on level terms when he found the space to plant a header just past the post.
Despite being forced to curb their attacking instincts in the early stages of the second half, it was Bremen who found the crucial second goal just after the hour mark to pile further misery on Klopp.
Selke's pace on the right wing allowed him time to deliver a cross to Fin Bartels, who took advantage of Erik Durm's poor positioning to slot in from close range.
However, Mats Hummels reduced the deficit with 20 minutes remaining by diving to head home Ilkay Gundogan's corner and set up a dramatic finish.
Bremen were forced onto the back foot in the closing stages as Dortmund desperately searched for a way back into the match.
The visitors should have claimed a point in the end, but Kagawa would waste their best chance when he somehow managed to blast over the crossbar, after latching onto a loose ball in the box.
Bremen were inches away from wrapping up the win in style when Bartels rattled the post after meeting Zlatko Junuzovic's cross, but the miss would not come back to haunt the hosts, who climb above Dortmund with victory.
Callum Mulvihill
