La Liga wrap: Levante streak continues

Surprise leaders Levante held on to top spot in La Liga following a dramatic 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

Visitors Sociedad led four minutes into the match through a goal from Daniel Estrada, who slotted home from close range after an error by Levante goalkeeper Gustavo Munua.

The hosts were back on level terms 10 minutes into the second half, thanks to Victoriano Nano’s deflected effort.

Five minutes later it was 2-1 to Levante, with Valdo finishing off a good move by Jose Barkero.

Inigo Martinez must have thought he had earned a point for Sociedad when he struck to level the scores at 2-2 with four minutes to go, but Ruben Suarez Estrada snatched victory in style for Levante, finding the net with a long-range free-kick in the 93rd minute.

There was still time for the hosts to go down to 10 men, with Juanfran shown a straight red card five minutes into injury-time.

But the dismissal will not have tempered Levante’s excitement at retaining their unlikely early-season lead.

Juan Ignacio Martinez’s side, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, have now won seven league matches in succession.

They top the table by one point from Real Madrid, who dispatched Villarreal 3-0 at home.

Karim Benzema, Kaka and Angel Di Maria were the men on target for Real within the first half hour at the Bernabeu.

Sporting Gijon picked up their second victory of the season, coming from behind to win 2-1 away at Malaga, courtesy of Mate Bilic’s strike and an own-goal from Joao Victor.

Rayo Vallecano’s impressive start back in the top flight continued, as the promoted side won 2-0 at home to big-spending Malaga.

Pedro struck in the first half and Raul Tamudo in the second for Rayo, while Malaga were forced to play much of the match with 10 men following the 35th-minute dismissal of winger Eliseu.

Valencia edged Real Zaragoza 1-0 thanks to Jordi Alba’s goal with eight minutes of their match left to play.

And Getafe twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Osasuna.

Ibrahima Balde gave Osasuna the lead in the sixth and 65th minutes respectively, with Daniel Guiza levelling for hosts Getafe on both occasions.