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 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 4 | +58 | 88 |
| Real Madrid | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 | +39 | 77 |
| Villarreal | 34 | 21 | 5 | 8 | +25 | 68 |
| Atlético de Madrid | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | +21 | 63 |
| Real Betis | 34 | 13 | 14 | 7 | +11 | 53 |
| Celta Vigo | 34 | 12 | 11 | 11 | +4 | 47 |
| Getafe | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | -8 | 44 |
| Athletic Club | 34 | 13 | 5 | 16 | -10 | 44 |
| Real Sociedad | 34 | 11 | 10 | 13 | -1 | 43 |
| Osasuna | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | -2 | 42 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 34 | 10 | 12 | 12 | -6 | 42 |
| Valencia | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | -13 | 39 |
| Espanyol | 34 | 10 | 9 | 15 | -14 | 39 |
| Elche | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | -8 | 38 |
| Mallorca | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | -9 | 38 |
| Girona | 34 | 9 | 11 | 14 | -15 | 38 |
| Sevilla | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | -14 | 37 |
| Alavés | 34 | 9 | 9 | 16 | -13 | 36 |
| Levante | 34 | 8 | 9 | 17 | -17 | 33 |
| Real Oviedo | 34 | 6 | 10 | 18 | -28 | 28 |
LALIGA News