Samuel Eto'o scored twice as Barcelona beat Sporting Gijon 3-1 at Camp Nou to re-establish their 12-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish table.

Eto'o scored in the 23rd and 40th minutes yesterday to take his personal tally to 21 for the season with Valencia's David Villa his nearest rival on 17. Brazilian Dani Alves added a third in the second half as Barcelona eased to their 10th successive league win.