Espanyol have continued their unfathomable ascent from the bottom of the league, as they earn a vital three points against a defensive minded Levante side to move to midtable, with European positions a definite possibility.

espanyol

What has been an amazing turnout was about to become one of the best storylines of the season, as Espanyol have been the most surprising team of the season, going from 20th in La Liga to not only leaving the relegation zone, but moving into midtable and just seven points away from Europa League qualification.

Levante on the other hand were desperate for a win, after having a run of mediocre form, they would have to overcome the loss of captain and centre-back, Sergio Ballesteros, who missed his first match due to injury since 2008, 168 matches with Levante.

Levante looked the stronger side to begin the match, but Espanyol managed to hold firm and deflect all attempts on goal.

Espanyol then turned things on a dime, pelting the Levante defence with a barrage of attempts, and their persistence paid off, as deflection off Levante’s Vicente Iborra led to an own goal, putting the Catalans up 1-0 just before half.

Following the break, both sides came out swinging, with Espanyol looking to capitalize on their lead, while Levante looked to get back in the match, and it was the Valencians who won out, as Ruben Garcia scored a header from a cross in the 47th minute for the equaliser.

For the next 15 minutes, both sides failed to register a shot on goal, as they struggled defensively and in the midfield.

However, Espanyol was about to break this match wide open, as a Sergio Garcia cross in the 67th minute found Christian Stuani, who headed in the second goal of the evening.

If you blinked, you would have missed it, as just 2 minutes later, the two roles were reversed as Stuani found Sergio Garcia, who fired in a left footed shot past Levante’s Munua to go up 3-1.

Espanyol set back in a defensive formation with Levante firing shots to no avail, until the 87th minute, when a Barkerto through ball on a fast break found Obafemi Martins to cut Espanyol’s lead to one with three minutes left in regulation.

Levante were unable to come back and draw things even, giving Espanyol a vital and well-deserved three points to put them 14th in the table, something that seemed an unrealistic dream just two months ago.

While Espanyol are still one poor run of form away from getting back into the relegation battle, they are just two wins away from challenging for a Europa League place.

Meanwhile Levante are struggling with form and starting to show their age as they may be experiencing fatigue after playing in three competitions this season.

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