La Liga wrap: Wins for Barca, Valencia

A Pedro brace helped a depleted Barcelona side overcome Levante 2-1 in their La Liga clash on Sunday.

The reigning champions looked set for a comfortable win when the Spanish winger scored his 12th and 13th goals for the season in all competitions in the 15 minutes following half-time.

Levante ensured a tense finish at the Camp Nou, however, when a chipped through ball from substitute Valdo found the left boot of Christian Stuani, who volleyed past Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

Elsewhere, ten-man Valencia scored a controversial last-gasp 2-1 victory over Espanyol, after replays showed Juan Manuel Mata’s winning tap-in came from an offside position.

Ricardo Costa provided the assist to Mata for the winner, which made up for his earlier blunder which saw him find his own net to equalise for Espanyol on the stroke of half-time.

Aduriz scored the opener for Valencia, who move into fourth following the victory.

Mali striker Frederic Kanoute scored the only goal in Sevilla’s 1-0 triumph over Osasuna at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Malaga scored a vital away win over relegation rivals Sporting Gijon 2-1, with Apono scoring the winner in the 59th minute.

The visitors came from behind after Diego Castro opened the scoring for Gijon from the spot in the 42nd minute, before Weligton equalised on the stroke of half time.

Ten-man Deportivo La Coruna held on to beat nine-man Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at Estadio San Mames.

An Adrian brace put the visitors ahead 2-0 before Llorente gave some hope to the home faithful with an 86th minute strike. But Deportivo held on to move up to 12th place in the league standings.