Levante 2 - 1 Rayo Vallecano: Deyverson and Jose Morales on target as Levante beat fellow strugglers Rayo

Posted Sunday, January 10, 2016 by PA

Brilliant second-half goals from substitute Deyverson and Jose Morales earned bottom side Levante a crucial 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano in their Primera Division relegation battle.

The hosts burst into life in the second half at the Ciudad de Valencia and broke the deadlock with a fine Deyverson volley after 72 minutes.

Morales doubled the lead with a superb solo effort nine minutes later and Levante survived a nervy finish to claim three important points after Pablo Hernandez pulled one back.

The result was not enough to lift Levante off the foot of the table but they moved within one point of Rayo, who missed a chance to climb out of the bottom three.

An early Morales effort aside, Levante offered little in the first half. Rayo had the better of it with Javi Guerra, Raul Baena and Adri Embarba all having opportunities.

But Levante served warning just before the interval as Mauricio Cuero fed Nabil Ghilas after a break down the right but his sliding finish went just wide.

That provided a spark and the hosts created a succession of chances after the break.

Cuero got in on goal only for his touch to let him down while Morales forced a good save from Yoel Rodriguez and Deyverson dragged a good chance wide.

Rodriguez saved a Zouhair Feddal header but Levante finally broke through as Deyverson connected with a superb left-footed volley from a Tono cross.

An even better goal came nine minutes later as Morales wrong-footed Quini with a mazy run and clipped a shot past Rodriguez.

Hernandez gave Rayo late hope with a neat touch and finish but Levante held on.