BERLIN (Reuters) -Fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund eased past bottom side Darmstadt 98 3-0 away on Saturday for a winning start to the new year as Jadon Sancho set up a goal on his return for the Ruhr valley club following his loan move from Manchester United.
The England international had left Dortmund after four years for Old Trafford in August 2021 but failed to hold down a regular spot and has made just three appearances this season after becoming embroiled in a row with United boss Erik ten Hag.
But he looked at home as Dortmund got a first win in five league games as the Bundesliga restarted after a three-week winter break with his assist for Marco Reus to score in between Julian Brandt's opener and Youssoufa Moukoko's late strike.
Dortmund now have 30 points, three behind fourth-placed RB Leipzig, who lost 1-0 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt, and 15 adrift 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 aim at Dortmund was to enjoy the game again.
He was a key cog in the Dortmund set-up during his first spell at the Ruhr valley club from 2017-21, scoring 50 goals in just over 130 appearances, and has several goals to fulfil.
"To be happy again to be back on the pitch and help the team, getting them back into the top three and the Champions League of course. We kept a clean sheet today. We take it game by game. We will fight every game," he said.
Dortmund struck in the 24th following a superb solo run from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as Brandt finished the move with a low shot.
Dortmund were made to work hard for more than an hour with Darmstadt carving out chances and coming agonisingly close with a 63rd minute Luca Pfeifer point-blank header that goalkeeper Gregor Kobel blocked with a reflex save.
Dortmund killed off the game in the 76th minute when Sancho, who had come on in the 55th, was sent through and set up fellow substitute Reus for an easy tap-in.
Moukoko then made it 3-0 after a fine move in the box deep in stoppage time.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ken Ferris)
