Sporting escape drop zone with 2-0 win over Eibar

Sporting Gijon overcame their relegation jitters to beat Eibar 2-0 and climb into the 17th place in La Liga, two points above the drop zone, with two matches left to play.

Facing a virtual must-win game here on Friday, the hosts were cautious, ceding possession to Eibar, who got their first shot on goal in the eighth minute, a spot kick that sailed harmlessly over the crossbar, reports Efe.

A defensive lapse left Eibar's Jota Peleteiro alone with the ball in front of the Sporting net, but goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar was up to the task.

With Eibar seemingly in full control, Jony threaded a cross past the visiting defenders and Carmona headed the ball into the net in the 42nd minute to make it 1-0 for Sporting, to the joy and relief of the 26,000 supporters at Gijon's El Molinon stadium.

Buoyed by the goal, the home side was much more confident in the second half and began to see a lot more of the ball, though the Sporting supporters still held their collective breath every time Eibar crossed the centre line.

A poor clearance by Luna left an unmarked Jony with the ball and he whipped the ball under diving Eibar keeper Asier Riesgo to double the lead to 2-0 with nine minutes left in regulation.

Eibar's Inui gave the hosts a fright with a strike in the 87th minute, but the referee disallowed the goal because the ball went out of play prior to the shot.

--IANS

sam/vm