Roberto Soldado's first-half goal gave Valencia a 1-0 win at Sporting Gijon Saturday to stay at the top of the Spanish league. The Spanish striker scored on the half-hour mark at El Molinon stadium after Sporting goalkeeper Juan Colinas blocked but failed to clear a shot from Jonas. Winger Pablo Hernandez set up Jonas in the 37th minute only to see the Brazilian forward's strike hit the post. Sporting pressed for the equalizer but Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita pushed David Barral's shot over the bar in the 83rd. Soldado leads the league with five goals in three games, one more than Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Sporting's third defeat in as many weeks left it in last place. Also, Ikechukwu Uche's second-half header lifted the promoted Granada 1-0 over Villarreal for its first victory in Spain's top division in 35 years. Uche, who is on loan to Granada this season from Villarreal, scored Granada's first goal of the season when he headed Siquiera's cross past Villarreal goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez in the 56th. Villarreal had a perfect opportunity to salvage a draw in the 78th but Giuseppe Rossi hit the post from his penalty kick and Jonathan De Guzman fired the rebound wide as the “Yellow Submarine” stayed winless this campaign. At Iberostar stadium, Malaga edged a lackluster Mallorca 1-0. Montpellier spoils lead French league leader Montpellier squandered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Brest Saturday while Toulouse battled back from 2-0 down to defeat Bordeaux 3-2 and move level on points at the top. Toulouse has 13 points but is second on goal difference to Montpellier after recovering from being 2-0 at home to 2009 champion Bordeaux to win 3-2 thanks to a last-minute strike from debutant Emmanuel Riviere.
