Mallorca 1 : 2 Sporting de Gijon - Victor own goal dooms Mallorca

Posted Wednesday, October 26, 2011 by PA

Sporting Gijon produced a spirited second-half fightback to claim a 2-1 victory at Mallorca in the Primera Division.

The home side controlled the first half and deservedly went in front after 16 minutes when Michael Pereira crossed to the back post for Gonzalo Castro to head home.

But Mate Bilic replaced David Barral at the break and the Croatian striker made an immediate impact as he headed in at the far post from Alberto Lora's cross five minutes into the second half.

And the visitors completed the comeback 15 minutes later as Miguel De las Cuevas sent a low cross into the area which was turned into his own net by Joao Victor.

Mallorca went into the game having drawn their first two matches under new manager Joaquin Caparros, but set out with much greater attacking intent and could have been more than one up after dominating the opening quarter.

Emilio Nsue shot just wide inside three minutes after good work from Victor down the left and then into the side netting from a narrow angle 10 minutes later.

Sporting were unable to cope with Mallorca's pace and movement down the wings and another flowing move moments later brought the opening goal.

Pereira was sent down the right and, with Mallorca players queuing up in the middle, guided a wonderful ball to the back post for Castro to apply the simple finish.

The visitors rarely threatened in the opening period, with Dudu Aouate forced into just the one save from a long-range shot by De las Cuevas.

Tomer Hemed, still waiting for his first goal for Mallorca from open play, nearly did so just after the break but his rising drive from just outside the area flew over.

But Sporting got back on level terms as Lora burst down the right and hung up a cross and Bilic's height advantage allowed him to power a header down past Aouate.

The game was becoming increasingly stretched and De las Cuevas took advantage of the extra space as he beat Pedro Bigas and cut the ball across the area where a stretching Victor could only divert the ball into his own net.

Suddenly, having controlled the game for long periods, Mallorca were behind and Hemed shot narrowly wide as they sought a response.

The almost found an equaliser when Emilio Nsue's shot came back off the post and hit goalkeeper Juan Pablo on the back but did not rebound into the net.

Instead Sporting got the luck and held on to move out of the relegation zone.