Ruben Suarez converted two penalties to lead Levante UD to a 3-1 victory over nine-man RCD Espanyol on Sunday and their third straight win in Liga BBVA.
Suarez sent his first penalty into the right corner in the 14th minute at the Estadio Ciutat de Valencia after Espanyol striker Rui Fonte fouled Juanlu Gomez.
The Spanish forward doubled Levante’s lead in the 58th minute following a red card for Espanyol defender Jordi Amat, who pulled Suarez down with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Hector Moreno grabbed one back for Espanyol in the 73rd minute, but three minutes later Jose Barkero sealed the win with a curling strike from outside the area.
Espanyol’s Walter Pandiani was sent off late on for headbutting Victoriano Rivas.
Undefeated Levante have 11 points, level with defending champions Barcelona and Sevilla and just one point behind league leaders Real Betis Balompie, who have a game in hand.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Malaga failed to win for the first time in four games as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Zaragoza thanks to some fine goalkeeping by Roberto Jimenez, letting slip the chance to become overnight leaders.
Levante coach Juan Martinez said it had been a “perfect” week for his team, starting with wins over Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.
“We talk about dreams, but I am happy for the overall effort my team has shown,” said Martinez, who is in his first season in the top flight. “Nine points is truly a great haul for us.”
Earlier, RCD Mallorca rallied to a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad to break their three-game losing streak.
Victor Casadesus canceled out Sociedad striker Imanol Agirretxe’s early opener to draw Mallorca even in the 20th minute and forward Gonzalo Castro scored with a volley from outside the area to put the hosts ahead for good five minutes after the restart.
Agirretxe came close to snatching a late equalizer, but his shot hit the crossbar.
“It is important to score and two goals is a large quantity for us after three games without scoring,” Mallorca coach Michael Laudrup said.
Also on Sunday, CA Osasuna drew 1-1 away at newly promoted Granada, while both Sporting de Gijon and Real Racing Club de Santander stayed winless after their 0-0 draw at El Molinon.
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