04 October,2011 10:17 AM IST | | AFP
Injury-hit Barcelona took over top spot in La Liga on Sunday when Adriano scored the only goal in a 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon, the champions' first away win of the season.
Adriano
Barcelona have 14 points and lead Levante on goal difference while Malaga and Valencia are a point further back.
After draws against Real Sociedad and Valencia, Barcelona looked to beat bottom of the table Sporting, but they did so with a lengthy injury list.
Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta were among the midfielders in the treatment room while neither Carlos Puyol or Gerard Pique started in defence.
Barca don't have a good record against Sporting, where they drew last season, but Adriano gave them an 11th-minute lead, knocking in a rebound after a Xavi Hernandez shot came back off a post.
While Barca had almost total control, they struggled to convert it into further goals against a very organised Sporting.
