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Played
September 17, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
Estadio Municipal El Molinón — Gijón
Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreiro
Attendance: 15000
September 17, 2011 12:00 PM EDT
Estadio Municipal El Molinón — Gijón
Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreiro
Attendance: 15000
Top of the Match
Roberto Soldado
Valencia
Valencia
Ever Banega
Valencia
Valencia
Flop of the Match
André Castro
Sporting Gijon
Sporting Gijon
David Barral
Sporting Gijon
Sporting Gijon
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Sporting Gijon 0-1 Valencia: Roberto Soldado strike seals third straight win for Unai Emery's side
The on-form forward struck with a rebound in the first half and his intervention proved enough to see Valencia maintain its flawless start to the Primera Division season
By Ben Hayward
Getty Images
Roberto Soldado's fifth goal in three games maintained Valencia's perfect start to the Primera Division season as Unai Emery's side claimed a narrow victory at Sporting Gijon on Saturday evening.
The in-form striker, who scored a hat-trick in his side's thrilling 4-3 win at home to Racing Santander on the opening weekend, and netted the only goal of the game as Valencia defeated Atletico Madrid in its next match, was on target again as he bundled home a rebound after half an hour.
Pablo Hernandez advanced down the left, riding several challenges before setting up Jonas. The Brazilian's shot was saved and the rebound fell to Soldado, in the right place at the right time as usual to convert what was the first real chance of the game.
Soldado latched onto a neat ball from Ever Banega midway through the second half, but saw his shot saved by Juan Pablo Colinas.
The striker then departed with a twisted ankle and was replaced by Aritz Aduriz, who missed a great chance to make it 2-0 soon after coming on.
Sporting piled on the pressure in the closing stages as it sought a late leveller.
Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita made a great save to deny David Barral and the home side was virtually camped in the visitors' area in the final few minutes.
However, the visitors held on to move provisionally top of the table, where they could be joined by Real Madrid and Betis on Sunday.
The in-form striker, who scored a hat-trick in his side's thrilling 4-3 win at home to Racing Santander on the opening weekend, and netted the only goal of the game as Valencia defeated Atletico Madrid in its next match, was on target again as he bundled home a rebound after half an hour.
Pablo Hernandez advanced down the left, riding several challenges before setting up Jonas. The Brazilian's shot was saved and the rebound fell to Soldado, in the right place at the right time as usual to convert what was the first real chance of the game.
Soldado latched onto a neat ball from Ever Banega midway through the second half, but saw his shot saved by Juan Pablo Colinas.
The striker then departed with a twisted ankle and was replaced by Aritz Aduriz, who missed a great chance to make it 2-0 soon after coming on.
Sporting piled on the pressure in the closing stages as it sought a late leveller.
Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita made a great save to deny David Barral and the home side was virtually camped in the visitors' area in the final few minutes.
However, the visitors held on to move provisionally top of the table, where they could be joined by Real Madrid and Betis on Sunday.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |