Keita and Xavi keep Barca on Real's tail
Source: Agencies |
March 5, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SEYDOU Keita and Xavi struck in the last 11 minutes to earn 10-man Barcelona a nervy 3-1 home win over lowly Sporting Gijon that kept its La Liga title hopes alive on Saturday.
With leading scorer Lionel Messi suspended for the first time in his career, the champion lacked a cutting edge until Andres Iniesta fired it in front just before halftime at the Nou Camp.
The game was turned on its head a minute into the second half when home defender Gerard Pique was shown a harsh red card as he got in a tangle with Miguel de las Cuevas on the edge of the Barcelona area.
Almost immediately substitute David Barral stole in front of 'keeper Victor Valdes to nudge in the equalizer for second from bottom Sporting.
The magnificent Iniesta drove Barcelona forward in search of the winner and it was Keita who struck the decisive goal with a stunning shot into the top corner from an Alexis layoff.
Iniesta then conjured a third goal for Xavi who finished with a neat lob at the end as Barcelona closed the gap on leader Real Madrid to seven points until Jose Mourinho's side hosts Espanyol at the Bernabeu yesterday.
"With Messi it would have been easier because he is the best player in the world," Mali international Keita told Spanish television.
"I don't know if I have saved the team. It was just important to win three points."
Real, on course for a first league title in four years, has 64 points and Barcelona 57. Valencia (40) is third.
Big-spending Malaga moved up to fourth on 37 points with its first away win since November.
Manuel Pellegrini's side climbed into the Champions League qualification places with a 3-1 comeback win at Getafe while Atletico Madrid stayed ninth on 33 points after being held to a 1-1 draw at tenth-placed Sevilla.
With leading scorer Lionel Messi suspended for the first time in his career, the champion lacked a cutting edge until Andres Iniesta fired it in front just before halftime at the Nou Camp.
The game was turned on its head a minute into the second half when home defender Gerard Pique was shown a harsh red card as he got in a tangle with Miguel de las Cuevas on the edge of the Barcelona area.
Almost immediately substitute David Barral stole in front of 'keeper Victor Valdes to nudge in the equalizer for second from bottom Sporting.
The magnificent Iniesta drove Barcelona forward in search of the winner and it was Keita who struck the decisive goal with a stunning shot into the top corner from an Alexis layoff.
Iniesta then conjured a third goal for Xavi who finished with a neat lob at the end as Barcelona closed the gap on leader Real Madrid to seven points until Jose Mourinho's side hosts Espanyol at the Bernabeu yesterday.
"With Messi it would have been easier because he is the best player in the world," Mali international Keita told Spanish television.
"I don't know if I have saved the team. It was just important to win three points."
Real, on course for a first league title in four years, has 64 points and Barcelona 57. Valencia (40) is third.
Big-spending Malaga moved up to fourth on 37 points with its first away win since November.
Manuel Pellegrini's side climbed into the Champions League qualification places with a 3-1 comeback win at Getafe while Atletico Madrid stayed ninth on 33 points after being held to a 1-1 draw at tenth-placed Sevilla.
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