Levante new boys light up Ciutat de Valencia

Levante UD secured a crucial 3-0 victory over Getafe CF in the opening match of Liga BBVA Matchday 25. We round up the keys to the game.

Morales on the mark

Levante's hunger to get the win and turn around their Liga BBVA plight shone through from the first whistle. Three chances in four minutes presaged what was to come and it wasn't long before Jose Luis Morales had broken the deadlock, sending a shot skimming into the far corner after a fabulous solo run. What's more, he did not rest on his laurels thereafter, continuing to create danger and playing in his teammates all night long. 

Rossi spot on

The recent recruit got back on the scoresheet. The Italian converted from the penalty spot just before the break, giving Levante some daylight. It was no less than the hosts deserved for their efforts in a first half in which they outplayed their opponents, who carved out fewer chances and shied away from taking the initiative. 

Getafe respond, but fail to make pressure pay

Fran Escriba's men may have been slow to get into their stride and ultimately ended up on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline, but that is not to say that they were never in the contest. The visitors upped their game after the interval, fashioning a number of opportunities to reduce the arrears and change the complexion of the match. The clearest fell to Alvaro Vazquez, who hit the woodwork with the goal gaping in the 71st minute, and Getafe would end up ruing his and their profligacy. 

New signings deliver

Levante's January additions came up with the goods. Not only did Giuseppe Rossi find the net, but Joan Verdu capped the scoring late on, beating a couple of defenders and then clipping the ball past Vicente Guaita. 

Contrasting feelings

The result leaves Levante with grounds for optimism, three precious points in a key game lifting them off the foot of the table, if only provisionally. On the other hand, Getafe are reeling after having lost five matches in a row, in which they have shipped 10 goals. They will look to get back on track next time round.