Higuain scores as Madrid beat Sporting

Barcelona: Gonzalo Higuain's late goal gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon to stay top of the Spanish league on Sunday.

Higuain darted in with eight minutes to play to tap in the rebound of a header from Benzema that goalkeeper Juan Pablo Colinas could not control.

"It was a very difficult game, but the team was well positioned on the pitch," said Madrid captain Iker Casillas.

The win moved Madrid to 29 points, one ahead of Barcelona after it beat third-place Villarreal 3-1 on Saturday.

Madrid had the most scoring chances, but an inspired Colinas kept Sporting in the match until the final stretch.

Higuain hit the post in the 10th minute, and fellow Argentina forward Angel Di Maria shot over the crossbar from close range shortly after.

In Sporting's most threatening approach in the first half, striker Gaston Sangoy found Diego Castro just outside the six-yard box but Pepe was quick to block his attempt in the 21st.

"In the first half, we were affected by the confusion on the field," said Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka, who was in charge with Jose Mourinho serving the first of a two-game ban for insulting the referee in the Copa Del Rey win over Murcia midweek.

"It was an important game to win the three points."

Madrid continued to dominate possession, and an active Higuain had a goal disallowed for offside in the 55th. A minute later, Sangoy showed pace and hit a shot from a tight angle that passed in front of Casilla's goal.

Colinas made a great save in a one-one-one challenge with Higuain in the 68th, and on the very next play, Sangoy again saw his crossing shot skip across the area and barely miss the far post.

The Sporting goalkeeper blocked a sharp strike from Karim Benzema, who came on in the second half for Di Maria, with 15 minutes to play.

A minute after Higuain's goal, Casillas saved a header from David Barral right on the goal line to protect the lead.

"It was a quick block, the ball was heading to the corner of the net and it was more a reflex save," said Casillas.

Alberto Botia was shown a red card for a tackle of Cristiano Ronaldo in injury time.