Valencia rule the city – winless Levante waste a two-nil lead in the ‘bat-derby’

A goal-fest at Derbi Valenciano – massive comeback from Valencia to defeat town rivals Levante and push them further towards Segunda Division – final score 3-4. Hosts continue their their winless streak which is the division’s longest ever (26) and José Bordalás’ Valencia side put on a festive fight to come from 2-0 down to steal a 4-3 victory. It was surprising to see the home team gaining a two-goal lead early in the first 25 minutes. Midway through the first half, Levante were awarded a penalty after a Mouctar Diakhaby handball. Initial strike from the spot by José Campaña was saved by Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, however the Levante midfielder was alert to catch the rebound and send it home.Just three minutes after, bottom placed hosts netted their second of the evening. Sleepy Valencia defence was caught off guard with a swift counter-attack and Roger Martí confidently slotted home from inside the box.Valencia did not allow for the half to end without them scoring and getting back in the match. No clean sheet for Levante was courtesy of Gonçalo Guedes who sent left-footed rocket just before the half-time whistle.The visitors equalled things up only three minutes after the restart – after a clumsy foul from Rúben Vezo, referee Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes once again pointed to the penalty spot and Carlos Soler calmly sent the ball behind Cillessen.Valencia were a better side and it showed. They eventually netted their third of the evening with 18 minutes left on the clock – Soler capitalised on ghost-like defending to shoot the ball beyond a helpless Levante goalkeeper Daniel Cárdenas. Guedes’ second would secure three points for Valencia – the Portuguese rounded the goalkeeper and the defender and tapped the ball into an empty net. Enis Bardhi’s late strike in stoppage time was not enough to end Levante’s 18-game winless start to the La Liga campaign.Valencia sit seventh, one point and one spot above Barcelona and one point less than the European competition spots.LA LIGA – Round 18FridayCelta Vigo – Espanyol 3-1 (1-0)/Mina 3, Aspas 47, Suarez 82 – Moron 90+2/Saturday Rayo Vallecano – Alaves 2-0 (2-0)/Guardiola 19, Catena 26/Real Sociedad – Villareal 1-3 (1-1)/Isak 32 – Moreno 38, 68, Chukwueze 90+6/Barcelona – Elche 3-2 (2-0)/Jutgla 16, Gavi 19, Nico 85 – Morente 62, Milla 63/Sevilla – Atletico Madrid 2-1 (1-1)/Rakitic 7, Ocampos 89 – Felipe 33/SundayGranada – Mallorca 4-1 (1-1)/Molina 20,63,90+1, Puertas 90+6 – Rodriguez 24/Athletic Club – Real Betis 3-2 (1-1)/Williams 2,72, De Marcos 89 – Juanmi 6, Fekir 52/Getafe – Osasuna 1-0 (0-0)/Poveda 90+3/Real Madrid – Cadiz 0-0Monday Levante – Valencia 3-4 (2-1)/Campana 21, Marti 24, Bardhi 90+1 – Guedes 44, 85, Soler 49 pen, 72/***odds are subject to change

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