Villarreal impress, Levante earn derby spoils
Saturday, May 10, 2014
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Villarreal CF overwhelmed Rayo Vallecano de Madrid to move within two points of a UEFA Europa League place, as Levante CF took the spoils in their city derby with Valencia CF.
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Four different scorers helped Villarreal CF overwhelm Rayo Vallecano de Madrid to move within two points of a UEFA Europa League place.
Rayo Vallecano had Anaitz Arbilla sent off midway through the second period, but the Yellow Submarine were already three goals to the good by that stage. First-half strikes from Ikechukwu Uche and Bruno Soriano handed Villarreal a convincing lead at the interval, and Jonathan Pereira's neat chip left little doubt shortly after the restart.
Moments after Arbilla's dismissal, Jaume Costa compounded the visitors' misery and gift-wrapped the win from close range. Villarreal will hope that sixth-placed Real Sociedad de Fútbol, two points ahead of them, come away from San Mamés empty-handed on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Levante UD earned the plaudits and the bragging rights after prevailing in their derby with Valencia CF. Goals in the last 20 minutes from Ángel and Andreas Ivanschitz proved decisive, and rendered moot a late red card for Pedro López. Having moved two points ahead of Valencia, this result could be momentous – Levante have never finished above their city rivals in the Liga.
