Barral moves Levante closer to salvation

Levante UD took another step closer to their aim of staying up for another season in the Liga BBVA by beating Córdoba CF 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by top scorer David Barral, who scored his 10th goal of the season.

It did not take long for the hosts to create chances, and with just four minutes on the clock José Luis Morales's free-kick was deflected wide for a corner. The hosts created more danger from the resulting corner, but Juan Carlos Martín came to the visitors' rescue. At the other end Bebé tested the Levante goalkeeper Diego Mariño, who made a fine stop. In the last 15 minutes of the first half Lucas Alcaraz's side went all out for the opener. Juanfran García came close to scoring from a free-kick, as did David Barral after an individual move. And it was the Cádiz-born striker who gave Levante the lead, after combining with Víctor Casadesús in the 41st minute. A  few minutes later Iñigo López nearly equalised with a header that shaved the post.

After the break, Levante sought to defend their lead against a Córdoba side who struggled to create much danger. The best chance of the second half fell to Kalu Uche in the 82nd minute, but the Nigerian could not hit the target. But in the end, Barral's goal proved enough to give the Valencia club the three points. This triumph places Levante in 14th position with 35 points, meanwhile the Andalusians are bottom of the table, with 20 points.