Mestalla stalemate as Valencia let it slip again: La Liga Round-Up and Highlights

By Staff Writer
Updated: 2 April, 2012

AFP PHOTO/JOSE JORDAN

The Valencian derby finished all square on Sunday as Arouna Kone’s second half strike for Levante cancelled out Jonas’ earlier effort for the home side.

It was a feisty encounter and both sides could have won the game in the closing stages – Valencia substitute Paco Alcacer missing the best of the chances for Valencia when the youngster headed straight at Manua. Valencia have now won just once from their last seven matches in all competitions, and have lost the lead in four consecutive games at the Mestalla.

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over city rivals Getafe, with Brazilian playmaker Diego scoring on his first start in almost two months. The home side were always in control and took the lead mid-way through the first half when Eduardo Salvio’s looping header beat the back tracking Moya in the Getafe goal.

Diego doubled Atleti’s lead just past the hour mark and the game was finished off when Radamel Falcao netted his 20th goal of the campaign with just over ten minutes remaining.

In the day’s final games Villarreal secured a hard-fought point against Espanyol at el Madrigal to leave them four points above Zaragoza who occupy the final relegation place, and Real Sociedad thumped four past the hapless Rayo Vallecano at the Anoeta. The 4-0 loss was Rayo’s fourth defeat in five games, leaving the Madrid side facing a nervy end to the season as they slip further down the table.

ATLETICO MADRID 3-0 GETAFE

VALENCIA 1-1 LEVANTE

VILLARREAL 0-0 ESPANYOL

REAL SOCIEDAD 4-0 RAYO VALLECANO

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All videos courtesy of Acosart

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