Antonio Sanabria scored a hat-trick to guide Sporting Gijon to a 3-1 victory over 10-man Las Palmas in their La Liga clash at El Molinon this evening.
The home side pressed in the early stages of the match as Alen Halilovic weaved his way into the box and fired an effort at goal, only to see his strike well saved by Javi Varas.
Gijon were then denied the lead by the woodwork as Jorge Mere rose to meet Halilovic's corner from the right, but his header cannoned off the crossbar.
Sporting did go ahead in the 17th minute when Varas could only parry Jony's right-footed strike at goal, and Sanabria was alert to tap home the rebound.
Sergio Araujo tried to get his side back into the match with a low drive at goal, only to see his strike saved with relative ease by Ivan Cuellar.
The visitors got back on level terms before the break when Nabil El Zhar diverted a low cross from Javier Garrido into the bottom corner.
Las Palmas pushed forward in the second half as Roque Mesa and Jonathan Viera had strikes at goal, but neither could beat Cuellar from distance.
Sanabria came close to firing Gijon back into the lead when he raided into the box with a solo run, but his low effort was saved by the on-rushing Varas.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men when Aythami Oliva was sent off for his second bookable offence for a poor challenge on Jony.
Gijon capitalised on their numerical advantage to regain the lead through Sanabria as he converted Jony's cross at the back post after being left unmarked in the box.
Sanabria secured his hat-trick and the three points for his team as Jony played the ball into his path inside the box and the forward was left with a simple finish to beat Varas.
The result lifts Gijon into 14th place in the table, while Las Palmas remain in 18th.
Simon Sinclair
