It was a rather good display by Barcelona last night even though, in the rain-soaked pitch, they only managed to score one goal. Pep Guardiola even admitted that it was one of the best matches he had seen from his players this new year.

Barcelona’s goal again came from the golden touch of the history-making ‘Six-competitions goal-scorer’ Pedro Rodriguez (min. 29) – his fifteenth this season.

As always we compiled the first reactions from the top 4 Spanish sports newspaper to last night’s match.

Sport

‘Pedro’s 15^th conquered the Molinon’

“Pedro’s only goal helped the league leader maintain its perfect streak in a match that could end with a rout of its opponent.”

“The team entered the Molinon with Pedro instead of Henry, and Puyol standing in for Dani Alves.”

“Not even announcement of the election date, the elbowing controversy, nor do the problems it had been having with referees is able to destabilise the team.”

“It was not Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s night but he did almost score in the 12th minute but his header hit the upright. With Pedro’s having his best run of form, he began probing Gijon’s left-flank, while Messi, without the Alves’s support, moved from the right.”

“The goal came in the 29^th minute, when Iniesta took a quick free-kick putting Pedro through on goal. The Tenerife-born player’s fifteenth goal this season and he is beginning to usurp Henry’s position.”

“From that moment Barcelona besieged Sporting who seemed to be more concerned about not being thrashed as opposed to seeking a draw. Playing their usual possession football, offensive from the start, and recovering back lost balls as soon as possible, the Catalans pushed their opponent back but lacked the finishing to kill the match off.”

“Barcelona showed that it was not only good in offence but also in defence. Even Messi saw a yellow card when he assisted in stopping a counter-attack by the home side.”

“The final moments of the match were nervy for Barcelona. Bojan replaced Pedro, Puyol picked up his fifth caution of the Liga season, and two near misses from Sporting brought back memories of Pamplona (1-1 Osasuna) and Bilbao (1-1 Athletic).”

“In the end, justice was done. Barcelona won by the single Pedro goal, but it could have been a rout. The Liga leader maintains its undefeated record, and is resembling last year’s league season.”

El Mundo Deportivo

‘0-1: Barcelona clings to Pedro’s goal to overcome Sporting’

“Barcelona marched on and is still undefeated in La Liga when it collected three more points in the Molinon, allowing it to maintain its lead and started the second-round of the season in a splendid fashion.”

“It was an evening that should have produced more goals, but was settled by a single Pedro’s goal to overcame a determined Asturian team that grew in confidence in the second half.”

“Barcelona entered the pitch intent on putting more pressure on Real Madrid, who played away against Deportivo. Messi consistently troubled Sporting’s defences, with Iniesta and Ibrahimovic, though erratic, kept on probing for the opening goal. And finally, that break came almost always from Pedro, who seems to grow day by day, supplanting Henry as the weeks go by. The player, using his speed, broke free from his pursuer to beat Juan Pablo in goal at his near post.”

“The Molinon side, with the result still at 0-1, tried push for a share of the points towards the end but was prevented by the good defensive work of the Catalans marshalled by the ever-confident Victor Valdes.”

Marca

‘A body of advantage’

“Barcelona overcame Sporting Gijon in its visit to the Molinon and won again, a season later, on the Asturian’s home ground. A Pedro’s goal from an offside position decided a match that the Blaugranas clearly dominated, and maintains the team’s perfect streak.”

Match key points:

Pedro. “The Tenerife-born player is seeking to stake his starting eleven place. Again, his goal decided the match, and showed that, with him on the wings, the team has more depth.”

The goal. “Barcelona could win big but ended up with the minimum from a somewhat illegal goal. Pedro was in an offside position the moment Iniesta made the pass.”

Without resources. “Sporting never gave the feeling of being able to put its opponent in difficulty. It failed to disrupt the smooth Barcelona game.”

AS

‘Villarato in the rain’

Ed. Madrid based papers AS and Marca have always claimed there is a conspiracy in favour of Barcelona which they call Villarato (Angel Maria Villar is the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, RFEF, and Villarato would mean ‘conspiracy headed by Villar’)

“Barcelona could have presented their fans with a trashing, and then watch the Madrid’s game on television safe in the knowledge that they had done their job for the night. The Liga leader and defending champion, played with all of its quality, ,soon realised Sporting would not budge. Manolo Preciado team have the character and grit.”

“After repeatedly testing the sensational Joan Pablo, Barcelona through Pedro, broke the deadlock in a controversial manner. A foul on Messi, resulted in a quickly taken free-kick that was placed a few feet beyond where it should have been taken. Iniesta, cunningly put the ball through for Pedro, who was in an offside position, so the goal should have been disallowed. The linesman, though well placed, did not raise the flag.”

“Pedro, taking advantage of the gift with his blistering pace, and despite having Ibrahimovic available to his right decided to finish the move. He did it in a subtle and perfect way. With his left foot, he struck a near-corner shot – his sixth league goal (the first away from the Camp Nou) and his fifteenth in all competitions so far this season.”

“Barcelona was unopposed. Even though Sporting did try to complicate the Catalans midfield passing game, it was well-read by Guardiola’s men that they change their game-plan. Up until that goal, Barcelona tried hard but Sporting always had a response.”

“As the match wore on, the home fans grew more and more dissatisfied with the referee’s, Paradas Romero, decisions. In one decision he only yellow-carded Messi for kicking Diego Castro from behind, in an apparent angry reaction.”

“Barcelona still maintain their unbeaten in the Liga, added three important points from a tough match to keep itself on top. Though they played well at times, were surprised by a good Sporting side, who complained of ‘Villarato in the rain’.”