A Samuel Eto'o brace helped Barcelona beat Sporting Gijon 3-1 at Nou Camp on Sunday to maintain their 12-point advantage over arch-rivals Real Madrid. The Cameroon striker opened the scoring on 24 minutes after being set-up by a low cross from Thierry Henry, who raced onto Andres Iniesta's deft pass moments earlier. Eto'o extended the lead five minutes before the break in a superb fashion. He picked up Lionel Messi's pass inside the area, turned defender Gerard Autet and fired home. The 27-year-old, who was close to leaving Barca last summer, took his tally to 21 goals this season. In-form Brazilian full-back Daniel Alves killed off Gijon hopes in the 66th minute with a powerful shot from an acute angle that left the keeper with no chance. Sporting midfielder Kike Mateo scored a consolation two minutes later. High flying Barcelona are on top of the Primera Liga table with 59 points, 12 clear of nearest challengers Real, whose hopes of claiming a third successive league title are fading.
