Valencia triumph against neighbours Levante
Saturday, November 5, 2011
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Tino Costa set up one and scored another as Valencia CF prevailed 2-0 at local rivals Levante UD, who have now lost back-to-back Liga games after an eye-catching start to the season.
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Valencia CF moved above Levante UD and into third place in the Liga after a 2-0 victory over their local rivals.
Beaten for the first time this season last week, Levante were intent on extending their run of home league wins to five. They started positively, too, with leading scorer Juanlu Gómez being denied by the legs of Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.
Their early promise soon faded, however, and they fell behind after 31 minutes when Javi Venta, attempting to prevent Jordi Alba from getting a shot away, poked the ball past his own goalkeeper. Tino Costa, who set up the opener with a defence-splitting pass, made the points safe with a 50th-minute free-kick which deceived Gustavo Munúa.
The day's other games − Real Betis Balompié-Málaga CF and RCD Mallorca v Sevilla FC − finished goalless. Real Madrid CF will establish a four-point lead over FC Barcelona if they beat CA Osasuna, Levante's conquerors last weekend, in Sunday's 12.00CET kick-off. Barça visit Athletic Club later in the day.
