La Liga Wk29: Bottom three drift away

Las Palmas, Deportivo La Coruna and Malaga all drifted further away of safety in La Liga Week 29 as Levante moved six points clear of their relegation rivals.

Levante made a winning start under Paco Lopez last weekend, and they followed that up with a 2-1 victory over Europe-chasing Eibar on Friday.

Roger Marti, Levante’s top scorer in Segunda last season, got the ball rolling on 25 minutes, before Charles pulled one back for Eibar.

However, Emmanuel Boateng popped up on the hour mark to consolidate Levante’s grip on 17th place and leave the Basques 10th, five points behind a Europa League spot.

That made Saturday a must-win for Deportivo La Coruna and Las Palmas, yet the two teams were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw at Riazor.

Alen Halilovic put the islanders, without as many as six first-teamers, ahead after just three minutes, but Raul Albentosa equalised midway through the first half.

The defender’s goal did no favours for either side, with Clarence Seedorf still looking for a first victory – seven games into his reign – and Las Palmas stuck in 19th.

Real Sociedad’s season, meanwhile, continued to spiral out of control after they were beaten 2-1 at home by surprise packages Getafe.

Willian Jose showed why he was called up by Brazil for the upcoming international break with the opener at Anoeta, but a six-minute smash-and-grab saw Djene Dakonam and talisman Angel Rodriguez score either side of the break.

With that, La Real fell to their second successive defeat and left them languishing in 14th, while Geta snuck into the top half.

Saturday’s best performance was saved for last, when Real Betis enjoyed a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Espanyol.

Espanyol goalkeeper Pau Lopez has been heavily linked with Betis, but the former Tottenham Hotspur loanee could do little about any of the Andalusians’ efforts from Junior FirpoRyad Boudebouz and Francis Guerrero.

Quique Setien’s side are now just two points off fifth-placed neighbours Sevilla, whereas the Catalans’ hopes of a top-10 finish took a blow.

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