Castro on hand to seal Betis win

Levante UD pose the early threat

The visitors, fully away of the magnitude of the fixture, came out of the blocks with real intensity. The Valencians - who currently find themselves immersed in the relegation dogfight - very nearly surprised the hosts with the game just eight minutes old. Joan Verdu came within inches of giving Rubi's charges an early lead, but his effort at the far post went narrowly wide of the upright.

Luckless Guiseppe Rossi

Levante's Italian forward featured prominently in the opening half, however his luck was out when it came to converting his chances. The ex-Villarreal man's clearest opportunity of the half came on 23 minutes when he fashioned a chance for himself, but he could only send his shot into the side netting.

Adan to the rescue

The Granotas once again came close to taking an advantage into the break, but the opener would ultimately prove elusive. This time it was the Real Betis goalkeeper, Antonio Adan, who stood in the way. Carl Medjani met a corner with a firm header, but the hosts' custodian pulled off a fine save to prevent his side from going behind.

Betis shake themselves into action

Juan Merino's charges came out with renewed energy after the break, growing stronger as the game wore on and beginning to ask more questions of the Levante backline. First up it was Joaquín who threatened to break the deadlock when he marginally failed to connect with a drilled Ruben Castro centre. Later on, Alvaro Cejudo came agonisingly close to putting the Sevillians ahead following a Charly Musonda pass.

A striker with a real eye for goal

The hosts kept plugging away and ultimately the breakthrough did come. Ruben Castro was the Betis hero, heading an inviting cross from Cejudo past Diego Mariño to notch his 17th Liga BBVA goal of the campaign.