Pedro added to his growing reputation with the winner for Barcelona in their 1-0 triumph over Sporting Gijon.

The Tenerife-born winger struck after half-an-hour to give Barca the lead.

Both sides had missed decent opportunities before that, but Pep Guardiola's side were superior virtually throughout.

And the Catalans should have built on their lead as they created a host of chances in the second half, though Sporting made it difficult and stayed in it right until the end.

Guardiola said, "It was a good victory in a stadium where few have won.

"This win carries a lot of merit. We did not make the best decisions in the final third, which prevented the margin from being greater.

"We are happy with our defensive play, since they did not create as many chances as Tenerife or Villarreal.

"Anything could have happened with the two free-kicks Sporting had at the end."