La Liga: Lacklustre Barca go top

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.


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.

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