Sporting Gijon 4 Real Mallorca 0: Gijon hit Mallorca for four

Posted Saturday, January 29, 2011 by PA

Sporting Gijon secured their first Primera Division away win of the season in emphatic fashion as they thrashed Real Mallorca 4-0 at the Iberostar Stadium to continue their recent revival.

The Asturians had won their last two league games to climb out of the relegation zone, but had failed to win any of their away matches prior to this one.

The northerners, who had beaten Mallorca at home in the league but were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by the islanders earlier this season, got off to the perfect start as they went ahead through Diego Castro after just three minutes.

Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate failed to deal with Alberto Lora's cross and Castro was left with a simple finish to hand Manolo Preciado's side the initiative.

There were chances for both sides in the remainder of the first half, but Mallorca came out brightest after the interval and looked set to get back into the game.

However, Ivan Cuellar was the hero for Sporting, making two outstanding saves to deny Gonzalo Castro.

Six minutes after the second of those, full-back Roberto Canella made it 2-0 when his shot deflected off Mallorca defender Kevin Garcia and wrong-footed Aouate.

Seven minutes later it was all over as a contest as substitute Andre Castro - who had just come on - raced clear to make it 3-0.

Castro then almost made it 4-0 shortly afterwards, but saw his effort deflected wide.

Nacho Novo did make it four with four minutes left with a clinical finish to leave Sporting four points clear of the drop zone after 21 games.

Mallorca, only five points better off, drop to 11th as a result.