Madrid, Oct 3 (IANS): FC Barcelona went to the top of Spanish Football League standings Sunday night courtesy a 1-0 away win over Sporting Gijon.

Defender Adriano Correira scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute. Although Barcelona controlled the game, they were unable to create the chances needed for a bigger victory margin. Sporting, meanwhile, remained at the bottom of the table with just one point from six games.

Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid won 4-0 away to Espanyol. Madrid scored all four goals playing on the break with Javier Callejon scoring on his return to play against his former club.

Levante's incredible start to the season continued with a 1-0 win away to Real Betis. Juanlu scored the only goal of the game to condemn Betis to their second defeat in less than a week.

Tipped by most as candidates for relegation, Levante have now won four consecutive matches and were momentarily League leaders until Barcelona's victory.

Atletico Madrid and Sevilla drew 0-0 in the Vicente Calderon Stadium in a game either side could have won but for the excellent performance of goalkeepers Thiabut Courtois and Javi Varas, who saved everything fired in his direction.

Athletic Club Bilbao won the Basque derby away to neighbors Real Sociedad in Sunday's midday kick off. Fernando Llorente's first two goals of the season gave Athletic their first win of the campaign and lifted them out of the bottom three.

Malaga spent Saturday night as league leaders after a dramatic 3-2 win at home to Getafe.

Julio Cesar Baptista scored an overhead kick in injury time to give his side all three points as Malaga twice came from behind following a thrilling second half at the Rosaleda Stadium.

Sergio Canales's fourth minute goal gave Valencia all three points at home to Granada in a game where Valencia ended up asking for time against a well organised rival, that never gave up.

Villarreal came from behind twice to draw at home to Zaragoza: Luis Garcia and Pablo Berrera twice put Zaragoza ahead in the El Madrigal Stadium, but Giuseppe Rossi, with a chipped penalty and substitute, Hernan Perez, who scored a late header, saved a point for Villarreal.

Raul Garcia scored twice for Osasuna, but his side were unable to beat Mallorca, who drew level thanks to two Tomer Hemed penalties.

Finally Racing Santander drew 1-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano, Raul Tamudo put the visitors ahead before Alvaro Gonzalez levelled the scores in the second half.