Football
PA Sport 8y

Barcelona earn lacklustre win vs. Levante, Real Madrid hit late winner

Barcelona were not at their best but still managed to claim a 2-0 win over Levante to put pressure on La Liga rivals Real Madrid.

Luis Enrique's table-topping side are three points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid and seven ahead of Real, who take on Granada later on Sunday.

Barca took the lead in the 21st minute when Jordi Alba's cross from the left deflected in off Levante defender David Navarro.

Bottom-of-the-table Levante hit the post through Morales but were unable to find a leveller against the visitors.

And in the final seconds Luis Suarez was set clear and kept his cool in front of goal with a smart finish to seal all three points.

The result ensured Barca tied their all-time record of 28 consecutive games without losing, matching the unbeaten streak set by Pep Guardiola's team in the 2010-11 season.

Third-placed Real Madrid were also made to work hard at struggling Granada before finally claiming a 2-1 win with a stunning late goal from Luka Modric.

Modric struck from outside the box five minutes from time to settle Madrid nerves after substitute Youssef El-Arabi had pulled Granada level on the hour.

El-Arabi had been on the field just two minutes when he cancelled out Karim Benzema's 30th-minute opener.

Gary Neville's future as Valencia manager hung in the balance after his side were beaten 1-0 by fellow strugglers Real Betis, suffering a fourth league defeat in nine matches.

Ruben Castro scored the only goal of the game on 49 minutes by pouncing on more slack defending from Valencia, who had Jose Luis Gaya sent off with five minutes remaining and then had a headed goal from Shkrodan Mustafi ruled out in stoppage time.

Neville's side are now just four points above the relegation zone, only five points better off than when he took the reins of the team two months ago.

Federico Fazio received another debut red card as Sevilla fought out a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo.

The defender rejoined the club on loan from Tottenham earlier in the week and was dismissed for two bookable offences inside the opening 24 minutes at Balaidos.

Sevilla, who thrashed the same opponents 4-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in midweek, responded well to score through Daniel Carrico, but Claudio Beauvue claimed a point for the hosts.

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