Barcelona labour to victory, top spot

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. Barcelona have 14 points and lead Levante on goal difference while Malaga and Valencia are a point further back. Real Madrid can move up to third place with victory at Espanyol later Sunday. 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. Arouna Kone had a couple of excellent chances to score either side of Juanlu's volley from a Valdo Lopes cross which broke the deadlock after 33 minutes. "We know which league we are in and although the fans can enjoy our position inside the dressing room we are only thinking that we have taken a step closer to our target," said Levante coach Juan Ignacio Martinez, whose aim is to avoid relegation. Betis coach Pepe Mel rued bad luck for the result. "They (Levante) know exactly what they are doing, they are a solid side and very professional and so I can only congratulate them but they have been fortunate today with one shot and one goal," he said. Atletico Madrid drew 0-0 with Sevilla in a match between two sides who are expected to be fighting for a Champions League place by the end of the season. The home side had the better openings but it will be a game remembered more for the number of fouls with the referee issuing eleven yellow cards. Diego had a shot blocked by keeper Javier Varas and Jose Antonio Reyes missed the target with an excellent chance. After the break Manu del Moral went close for Sevilla but Varas continued to save Sevilla while Radamel Falcao ballooned the best opportunity over the cross bar from inside the six yard box. Malaga are a point behind the leaders after a superb overhead kick in injury time from Julio Baptista completed a spectacular turnaround as they beat Getafe 3-2 on Saturday. The Andalusian side, who are bankrolled by a Qatari billionaire, moved up to 13 points and clear on goal difference of Valencia who beat Granada 1-0. Two penalties from Tomer Hemed gave Mallorca, with caretaker coach Miguel Angel Nadal, the uncle of tennis superstar Rafael Nadal, in charge, a 2-2 draw away to Osasuna. Raul Garcia headed both Osasuna's goals from corners.