Story highlights
Levante suffer a third straight defeat in Spain, losing 3-2 at Atletico Madrid
The early pace-setters are now fourth, eight points off leaders Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao are now up to sixth place after a superb 2-1 success at Sevilla
Early season Spanish La Liga pace-setters Levante slumped to a third successive loss as Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid leaves them eight points behind leaders Real Madrid in fourth place in the table.
Atletico came into the match struggling in mid-table with just one win in eight but they went ahead through substitute Luis Pizzi’s cool finish in the 69th minute.
That sparked a frantic spell of three goals in five minutes, with Xavi Torres equalizing before Adrian Lopez restored the home side’s lead in the 74th minute.
Diego added a third for Atletico and they held on for a vital three points despite Ruben Suarez’s late consolation goal.
Elsewhere in Spain, Athletic Bilbao extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches following a superb 2-1 victory at Sevilla.
Andoni Iraola gave the visitors a fifth minute lead only for Jesus Navas to level from Fredrick Kanoute’s nod down.
However, Bilbao held their nerve and Oscar De Marcos secured the three points from close range to lift his team up to sixth in the table.
There was late drama in Gijon as an injury time header from Nacho Novo saw home side Sporting come from behind to defeat Getafe 2-1.
The top of the table remains unchanged after the latest round of fixtures with Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory at third-placed Valencia on Saturday ensuring they remain three points clear of last season’s champions Barcelona.
Meanwhile, at the Nou Camp, Barcelona kept up the pressure courtesy of a routine 4-0 win over Real Zaragoza, with Lionel Messi and David Villa both among the goals.
