Barcelona: La Liga Giants FC Barcelona kept their title hopes to move closed in the gap at the top of the table as they moved to 57 points seven points adrift of the leader Real Madrid after they defeated Sporting Gijon 3-1 played at the Nou Camp here on Saturday.

With their star striker Lionel Messi serving a one match ban, the champions lacked in their killer instincts till Andres Iniesta scored the opener few minutes before the breather.

After the change of ends, Barcelona received a huge shock when Gerard Pique was sent off and David Barral scored the equalizer for the Gijon in the 49th minute.
As the match advanced, an exciting finish looked on the cards. In the 79th minute, however fortunes changed for the champions as Keita fired Barcelona home off an Alexis pass. 2-1 up in the match, Barca finally struck the final nail in the coffin when Xavi fired the final goal just a minute before the final hooter.

By Indian Sports News Network