MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Injury-hit Barcelona took over top spot in La Liga yesterday 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 in a late game yesterday.

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 nor 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.

While Barca had almost total control, they struggled to convert it into further goals against a very organised Sporting, whose only shot of note was a Roberto Canella drive which keeper Victor Valdes parried before half-time.

Eric Abidal went off injured after the break to add to Barca’s defensive worries, but they never looked likely to concede, while the main danger to the Sporting goal came from a Lionel Messi header which keeper Juan Pablo caught.

Unfashionable Levante are behind Barcelona only on goal difference after a Juanlu Gomez goal gave them a 1-0 win over former leaders Real Betis, their fourth successive victory.

Promoted Betis won their first four games on the trot, but succumbed to their second straight defeat against a Levante side who had the better openings.

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.

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 11 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.