Levante almost sure to stay up after beating Sevilla

Levante defeated struggling Sevilla 2-1 to practically ensure that they will remain in La Liga for another season.

With 40 points from 35 matches, Levante are 16th, 12 points above 18th-place Deportivo, who would have to win all of their four remaining matches by substantial margins to have any hope of catching the Valencia side, reports EFE news agency.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are in danger of missing out on European play next season for the first time since 2003-2004. They are currently seventh, three points behind Villarreal, who have a game in hand.

While the visitors looked the more dangerous team in the opening minutes on Friday night, the first goal went to the hosts, a strike by Roger Marti in the 10th minute.

But Sevilla equalized just five minutes later on a great effort by Carlos Fernandez and the 1-0 score line was an accurate reflection of play for the balance of the first half, as both sides created chances.

The back-and-forth carried over into the second 45 minutes.

In the 66th minute, Levante's Jose Luis Morales Nogales found himself unmarked in front of the Sevilla goal, but he fired wide.

Yet even coming close was enough to give the hosts a second wind and Sevilla keeper David Soria was tested several times in quick succession before finally conceding in the 73rd minute to Morales.

The visitors flew forward in pursuit of the tying goal, but Levante hung on to take all three points.

--IANS

ajb/