Barca Tops Table After Thrashing Sporting Gijon 6-1

 

Barcelona moved to the top in La Liga table after thrashing Sporting Gijon 6-1, a header from Lionel Messi and Juan Rodriguez's own goal set the Spanish champions on course to victory inside 11 minutes.

Carlos Castro pulled one back for the visitors midway through the first half but Barca soon regained their two-goal lead, Luis Suarez lashing home a thunderous volley after Jean Babin's poor defensive header.

The onslaught continued after the break as Sporting, who made seven changes ahead of kick-off, failed to mount a threat. Three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute, Alcacer got a much-needed goal, stroking past Cuellar after fine build-up play from Messi down the right channel.

Neymar got in on the act in the 66th minute, whipping a sublime free-kick around the wall and beyond the reach of the Sporting 'keeper to end a 10-game La Liga goal drought at the Nou Camp. With the game meandering to an end, Rakitic put the icing on the cake for Barca, playing a neat one-two with Sergi Roberto four minutes from time before hammering a stunning effort home, before all eyes focused on whether Real could respond at the Bernabeu.