Sporting: Cuéllar; Lora, Iván
Hernández, Gregory, Canella; Eguren, Nacho Cases; Miguel De las Cuevas
(Ayoze 55'), Rivera, Diego Costa (Jorge 89'); Barral. 4-2-3-1.
Hércules: Calatayud; David Cortés, Pamarot,
Rodríguez, Peña; Abel Aguilar, Fritzler (Kiko Femenía
46'); Tote (Cristian 64'), Valdez, Sendoa (Drenthe 62');
Trézéguet. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 01. Barral. Header down past Calatayud from
Canella's cross.
2-0. 29. Nacho Cases. Struck long shot inside post wide of
keeper.
Yellow cards: Diego Castro 26', Barral 27', Trézéguet 44', Rodríguez 46', Cortés 51', Cases 56', Pamarot 58', Valdez 89'.
Sporting Gijón moved out of the relegation zone thanks to a 2-0 victory over Hércules, their first league win since the middle of October. Once again Manolo Preciado was on an ultimatum to get a result, but within a minute his side were ahead after Barral headed Canella's cross past Calatayud. And with just under half an hour gone the Asturians went two up when youngster Nacho Cases fired a long shot wide of the keeper. Cuéllar saved from Tote and Sendoa at the other end before the break, but Eguren almost added a third when he poked a shot just wide of the post after the restart. And after that Sporting shut up shop, only troubled by a couple of efforts from Valdez and by substitute Drenthe, now back in favour after going AWOL a few days ago in protest about not being paid for the last few months.