Levante has the smallest budget in Spain's fist division. Photo / AP
Levante moved to the top of the Spanish league standings for the first time after beating Villarreal 3-0 for their sixth consecutive win yesterday.
The modest club, which has the smallest budget in Spain's first division, extended their record start to move one point ahead of Real Madrid and two points ahead of defending champion Barcelona.
Forward Juanlu Gomez scored twice before halftime and striker Arouna Kone added another after the restart as Levante repeatedly caught Villarreal flatfooted on the counterattack.
Defender Sergio Ballesteros cleared Giuseppe Rossi's late shot off his goalline to ensure Levante kept a fifth clean sheet of the season.
The undefeated Levante, who two seasons ago played in the second division, had little trouble adding the lacklustre Villarreal to their list of victims that included Madrid and Malaga.
"This team continues to grow and to demonstrate that it believes in what it does, something which is key to competing at this level," said manager Juan Ignacio Martinez, who had never coached in Spain's first division until joining Levante this summer.
Earlier, Roberto Soldado's late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao, while Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Mallorca.
After an evenly matched first half with both teams hitting the post, Iker Muniain scored Bilbao's 72nd-minute opener.
Bilbao appeared set to record their third straight league win before Soldado reached Ever Banega's pass, beat goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz with one touch and rolled home the equaliser in the 89th for his sixth goal of the season.
"Just when we were playing at our best they scored, but we didn't give up and we were able to pull out the draw," Soldado said.
At Vicente Calderon stadium, visitor Mallorca went ahead two minutes in through Israel striker Tomer Hemed's fourth spot kick in the last three matches.
Radamel Falcao pulled Atletico even with a penalty of his own in the 42nd after he was fouled in the area to end a three-game scoring drought for his team in league play.
Also, Osasuna beat Zaragoza 3-0, Rayo Vallecano scored twice late to down Real Betis 2-0 and Getafe drew 0-0 at Real Sociedad.
Raul Garcia set Osasuna on their way to their first win in six games in the 18th before flicking on a throw-in for Juan "Nino" Martinez to finish off nine minutes later.
Iran midfielder Javad Nekounam put the victory beyond doubt in the 30th when he headed in Nino's cross.
In Sevilla, Betis failed to convert a number of scoring chances, and Rayo's Lass Bangoura capped his strong performance in the 80th minute when he coolly chipped Betis goalkeeper Casto Barriga. Sergio Contreras then sealed Betis' fourth straight loss in the 88th from the penalty spot.
Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by Sevilla on Saturday, letting Madrid slip one point ahead after Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 win at big-spending Malaga.
Sporting Gijon also beat Granada 2-0 for their first win of the season, while Sergio Garcia's second-half goal dropped winless Racing Santander into last place as Espanyol won 1-0 for their second straight away victory.
- AP
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