Espanyol 2 - Levante 1

Espanyol: Kameni; Ibarra, Lopo, Soldevilla, David García; Maxi (Morales 80'), Ito, Fredson (Corominas 62'), Amavisca (Oscar Serrano 73'); Jonathan, Dani. 4-4-2.
Levante: Mora; Descarga, Alexis, Culebras, Jesule; Ettien (Juanma 34'), Camacho, Rivera, Jofre (Congo 81'); Manchev (Reggi 46'), Sergio García. 4-4-2. Team changes: Espanyol: Amavisca, Jonathan for Jarque, Oscar Serrano / Levante: Descarga, Camacho for Pinillos, Tito.

Goals:
0-1. 23. Sergio García. Got ahead of defence to turn Ettien cross past Kameni.
1-1. 28. Amavisca. From left of area after Mora pushed out Jonathan's shot.
2-1. 64. Maxi. Collected Culebras bad clearance and volleyed shot into net.

Espanyol moved back up to third in the table after coming from behind to beat Levante 2-1. The Catalans were once again missing their two most influential figures Tamudo and De la Peña, but under 21 international Jonathan Soriano stepped in and tested Mora early on. However the visitors took the lead midway through the first half when ex Barcelona striker Sergio García got to Ettien's cross ahead of Kameni to steer the ball in to the net.

Levante's lead only lasted five minutes though before their opponents equalised, Amavisca celebrating his 300th league game with his first goal in over three years after Mora could only push out a shot from Jonathan. The strike was hotly disputed by Bernd Schuster's side though as they felt that the referee should have pulled the game up for a foul prior to the goal.

Shortly after the goal Manchev had a great chance to restore the lead after Kameni was caught out of his area by a quick throw, but the Bulgarian striker fired his shot wide. It was a vital miss as early in the second half a mis-kicked clearance from Culebras fell to Maxi for him to control the ball and fire the winner past the keeper from the edge of the area. Kameni was in action later on to keep out an effort from Juanma, but otherwise Lotina's side were in control, and they move ahead of their rivals up to that much coveted Champions League spot, albeit still nine points behind second placed Real Madrid.