Valencia v Levante
Valencia crush Levante in derby to boost push for fourth spot
Valencia stayed in the hunt for the final Champions League qualifying spot in La Liga with a rampant 3-1 win in a city derby at home to Levante on Sunday.
Scarred by defeat by struggling Rayo Vallecano last weekend yet buoyed by victory in their Europa League quarter-final first leg over Villarreal, Marcelino's side got off to a flying start with a headed goal from Santi Mina in the second minute.
They lost defender Cristiano Piccini to a serious injury later in the first half and Levante equalised against the run of play in the 56th minute when Valencia's Carlos Soler clumsily diverted a corner into his own net.
Valencia's record signing Goncalo Guedes immediately restored the home side's lead down the other end by lashing into the far corner, while Mina scored a tap-in six minutes later to seal the three points.
Valencia are sixth in the standings after 32 games on 49 points, two behind fifth-placed Getafe who drew 2-2 at Valladolid and three back from Sevilla, who occupy fourth spot after beating Real Betis 3-2 on Saturday.
Game Information
Spanish LALIGA Standings
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 19 | 16 | 1 | 2 | +33 | 49 |
| Real Madrid | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | +24 | 45 |
| Villarreal | 18 | 13 | 2 | 3 | +20 | 41 |
| Atlético Madrid | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | +17 | 38 |
| Espanyol | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | +3 | 34 |
| Real Betis | 19 | 7 | 8 | 4 | +6 | 29 |
| Celta Vigo | 19 | 7 | 8 | 4 | +5 | 29 |
| Athletic Club | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | -8 | 24 |
| Elche | 19 | 5 | 8 | 6 | +1 | 23 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 19 | 5 | 7 | 7 | -6 | 22 |
| Real Sociedad | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | -3 | 21 |
| Getafe | 19 | 6 | 3 | 10 | -10 | 21 |
| Girona | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | -16 | 21 |
| Sevilla | 19 | 6 | 2 | 11 | -6 | 20 |
| Osasuna | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | -4 | 19 |
| Alavés | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | -8 | 19 |
| Mallorca | 19 | 4 | 6 | 9 | -7 | 18 |
| Valencia | 19 | 3 | 8 | 8 | -13 | 17 |
| Levante | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | -9 | 14 |
| Real Oviedo | 19 | 2 | 7 | 10 | -19 | 13 |
LALIGA News