La Liga wrap: Levante retake fourth spot

Levante have moved back into La Liga’s Champions League spots with a 3-1 win over Granada, although Malaga can regain fourth this weekend.

After a scoreless first half on Saturday, it took Levante just one second-half minute to score.

After Valdo intercepted a loose pass, the Levante winger chipped a cross to Arouna Kone who headed the ball back across Granada’s goalkeeper Julio Cesar for the opening goal of the game.

Odion Ighalo equalised for the visitors in the 67th minute but Levante were ahead just six minutes later when Xavi Torres thumped home a knock-down by Valdo from the edge of the penalty area.

After setting up the first two goals, Valdo got on the scoresheet himself when he headed Pedro’s cross into the net in the 84th minute.

The victory puts Levante into fourth spot in La Liga, which comes with a European Champions League qualifying spot.

The small club from near Valencia are on 52 points but Malaga, who have the same points total, can push Levante back to fifth with either a draw or a victory on Sunday.

Sporting Gijon could still be playing in La Liga next season after their 3-0 win away to Espanyol.

Adrian Colunga put the visitors in front in the 48th minute with a shot from a tight angle before a mistake on the halfway line allowed Oscar Trejo to break free in the 70th minute to make the score 2-0.

Mate Bilic added a third for Gijon in the 80th minute when he brought down an aerial pass and finished calmly.

The win puts Gijon on 34 points with three games to go, still four points behind Villarreal who they play on Tuesday.

Villarreal blew a 1-0 lead at home on Saturday to draw 1-1 with Osasuna.

Bruno gave the home side the lead a minute before the break but Osasuna hit back in the 72nd minute through Raul Garcia.

In other La Liga results on Saturday, Mallorca defeated Getafe 3-1 and Real Sociedad ensured Racing Santander will be relegated with a 3-0 win.