Levante welcomed Real Mallorca on Sunday looking for the three points that would have moved them closer to a Champions League spot.
A dull first period was brought to life in the final moments of the half when Obafemi Martins pounced to send the home side into the lead.
It was quickly two and then three in the second period when David Navarro and Ruben Garcia both scored within 10 minutes of the restart.
Vicente Ibrorra added a fourth moments later and that is how it remained with Mallorca suffering yet another defeat.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Our Sunday La Liga coverage gets underway from Valencia with Levante hosting a struggling Real Mallorca outfit. Both sides are in desperate need of the points with the winter break approaching, but for very different reasons.
Despite Levante’s position in the league table, they have failed to beat Mallorca in any of the last five meetings between the two sides. Mallorca have two victories to their name with the other three ending in a share of the spoils. But much has changed at the two clubs in recent seasons.
Levante’s draw against Celta last weekend meant that they missed the chance to move closer to fourth-placed Real Betis. But it has certainly been a successful campaign thus far. They began their season with a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid, but suffered their first league defeat against Real Valladolid at the end of August.
Teams:
Levante: Munua; Lell, Navarro, Juanfran, Ballesteros; Iborra, Barkero, Michel, Garcia; Martins, El Zhar
Mallorca: Aouate; Nunes, Geromel, Ximo, Vigas; Marquez, Pina, Victor, Giovani; Nsue, Hemed
Levante's form remained hit-and-miss as they entered October with defeats against Osasuna and Malaga preceding an impressive win over Valencia. They then won their next three games on the bounce, before suffering a winless period of four matches. But they have now suffered just one defeat – against Barcelona – in their last six in all competitions.
Mallorca, meanwhile, needed a late equaliser to snatch a point against 10-man Real Zaragoza last weekend. They have failed to pick up a win in their last 11 matches, a run of form that has dampened their form in the early stages of the season.
They remained unbeaten in the league until the beginning of October with three wins and two draws from their opening five matches. However, they then suffered six straight defeats before ending the run with a point against Celta Vigo on November 18.
Then were then beaten away to Rayo Vallecano before drawing with Zaragoza last weekend. The facts and league table certainly do not lie. They really are in a horrendous spell of form at the moment, but surely it has to turn some time? One positive for Mallorca is that they have got the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid out of the way in recent weeks.
Just a quick reminder that we have live commentary from all four La Liga matches today. The coverage of Athletic Bilbao versus Celta Vigo will get underway at 4.30pm. Following on from that is Atletico Madrid versus Deportivo La Coruna and Real Betis versus Barcelona. Be sure to remain with Sports Mole for the entirety of the action and you will not miss a kick.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate crowd? Check. Let's get the La Liga action underway on this mild afternoon in Valencia. I just cannot see a way how Mallorca win this match and therefore I am backing a 2-0 home win.
Levante get the action underway in Valencia. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could have a huge say on the final result. Mallorca's confidence is so fragile at the moment that you worry how they would respond. It's far from a full house in the stadium, but the home fans are making their voice known.
Strong start from the home side as Barkero wins a free kick just outside the Mallorca box. The set piece is delivered by Ruben and Navarro is on hand to tap home from close range. However, the offside flag had been raised and replays have shown it to be the correct decision. All-action start here.
It remains end-to-end football in the early stages of the match with Mallorca forcing a couple of corners in quick succession, but dogged defending from the home side clears the danger. The home side threaten immediately with the pace of Nabil El Zhar, but he is stopped in his tracks by Nunes.
There isn't a great deal of football being played in the middle of the mark at the moment. Both sides are looking for the long pass on each occasion and it is causing havoc inside the opposing box. This time Michel searches out Martins with a floated cross, but desperate defending from Bigas just manages to clear the danger.
Half-chance for the home side as Ruben floats a long pass in behind the Mallorca defence, but Martins is just beaten to the ball by Aouate and the goalkeeper hooks the danger clear. It would be no exaggeration to say that the ball has spent more time in the air than on the deck thus far.
Fairly scrappy period to the match at the moment with both teams struggling to keep hold of possession for any extended period. Meanwhile, a host of fouls have just interrupted the early tempo to proceedings. The match is so delicately poised.
Another half-chance comes the way of the home side as Barkero whips a searching cross into the penalty area, but Nunes just beats Martins to the ball. Another long pass causes Mallorca problems moments later, but Ruben can only fire over the crossbar from outside the box.
Levante have just started to take control of the match with the away side's threat mostly coming on the break. Another half-chance comes to the home side as Iborra finds Ruben in the box, but the midfielder cannot finish under pressure from Aouate.
Mallorca have just started to enjoy decent possession of the ball in the past few moments. But the final pass continues to elude them. Nsue and Giovani are attempting to get within touching distance of Hemed, but the traffic is all in the middle of the park and there is simply no room to operate.
Levante advance immediately down the other end and force two corners in quick succession, but Bigas and Ximo combine to clear the danger. Both sides are enjoying advanced areas, but the home side certainly look the most likely to open the scoring.
Another half-chance for the home side as Michel strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but Ximo blocks the danger for a corner. The set piece is taken by Ruben, but once more it fails to beat the first man and the danger is cleared. Still 0-0 with 21 minutes on the clock.
Mallorca really are struggling for any sort of invention at the moment. They have the players with Nsue, Giovani and Hemed, but all three are within touching distance of each other and it is easy for the home side to force the danger inside and close the door.
Unfortunately the match has become ever so scrappy in the past few moments with both sides giving away a host of free kicks in the opposing half. Levante continue to play the better football, but we are still awaiting the first real chance of the game.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Marquez finds Giovani in a wide area, but the Mexican is blocked on his route to goal by Christian Lell. He has another bite at the cherry moments later, but once more his cross is unable to find the desired target.
Levante's attacking threat has just disintegrated in the past few minutes with Mallorca comfortable in dealing with the danger. We have 30 minutes on the clock and in truth not a great deal has happened. Both sides are comfortable in defence and the game has been lacking in clear opportunities.
Half-chance for the home side as Nunes fells Ruben outside the penalty area and picks up a yellow card for his troubles. However, the set piece from Barkero is wide of the target. In truth it was never troubling Munua.
Levante continue to look for the long pass with Martins the target, but the striker is losing the aerial battle to the likes of Nunes and Bigas at the moment. Meanwhile, El Zhar has not had a kick for the home side. For me, he has to do so much more to merit a place in this side.
Half-chance for the away side as Pina strikes an effort from distance, but Munua gets down low to quell the danger. At least the away side have now registered an attempt on target. Little over 10 minutes of the half remaining and at the moment we are no nearer to seeing a goal. Famous last words?!
Martins remains the brightest spark for the home side as he picks up possession outside the box before bobbing and weaving into the box, but he is just crowded out at the vital moment. It falls to Ruben seconds later, but once more Mallorca's defence stands strong.
CHANCE! The best opportunity of the match thus far falls to the home side as Iborra whips a dangerous corner into the penalty area towards Ballesteros. However, the defender was just crowded out by Aaoute in front of an open goal. That was the chance. But the door was closed so quickly. Little over five minutes of the half remaining.
Mallorca just have not been in this game in an attacking sense since the very early stages of the match. That's not to say that Levante have peppered their goal with efforts, but the home side certainly look the more likely to open the scoring. Mallorca's confidence is so incredibly fragile at the moment.
GOAL! Levante 1-0 Real Mallorca (Martins)
Levante have their breakthrough as Martins latches onto a long pass before turning in the penalty area and finding a finish past the onrushing Aouate. There is no doubt that he has been the best player in this opening half and he has his reward.
Well, that certainly changes things. Levante have done it so often this season. They look short of ideas and suddenly 'bang' they open the scoring. That is what makes them such a dangerous side. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the half.
Levante 1-0 Real Mallorca
So there we have it. A strike from Martins is enough to hand the home side a 1-0 lead at the interval. In truth, it has been a match where chances have been at a premium, but Levante have looked the side more likely to open the scoring.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Mallorca have edged the possession with 55%, but they have managed just two attempts to Levante's five. There is absolutely no question that the away side are a team short on confidence.
As it stands Levante would move into sixth spot in the table, just one point outside of a Champions League place. However, Mallorca would remain just outside the bottom three. I am sure I will be made to regret saying this, but I just cannot see Mallorca scoring in a month of Sundays.
Looking ahead to the second period. It would be a surprise if Levante made a change at the interval with their game plan working as we stand. However, you would expect to see Kevin for Mallorca as the half wares on. Meanwhile, it is a surprise that Andreu Fontas is not in the starting side.
Mallorca get us underway in the second half. You just get the feeling that the away side need to get the likes of Giovani Dos Santos and Nsue into the match in order to have a chance of taking something. Be sure to remain with us for the next 45 minutes or so.
CHANCE! It's really bright work from El Zhar as the winger drives into the penalty area before firing a low cross into the box, but it is just too short for Martins and the danger is cleared. However, the pressure will continue from the resulting corner.
GOAL! Levante 2-0 Real Mallorca (Navarro)
Levante have their second of the afternoon and it was the simplest of goals for David Navarro as the defender rose highest in the penalty area to head a Barkero corner into the back of the net.
How on earth do Mallorca respond from here? They are a side so short on confidence it is untrue and they trail 2-0 away from home. Do they shut up shop in order to keep the score down? A brutal loss here could do such damage to their season. Even this early.
Half-chance for Mallorca as Dos Santos drives into the penalty area before firing a low cross into the box, but Tomer Hemed cannot make contact and Ballesteros is on hand to clear the danger. It appears that they have finally woken up with 53 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Levante 3-0 Real Mallorca (Ruben)
It gets worse for the away side as Martins finds Ruben and the midfielder drives into the penalty area before releasing a powerful strike past Aouate. That is game set and match right there. This one is over folks.
You feared that this would happen. The more Mallorca pushed forward the bigger gaps that appeared at the back. With the pace of Martins and El Zhar it is playing into the home side's hands. Believe me when I say that the scoring is not over here. It's a horror show from Mallorca.
GOAL! Levante 4-0 Real Mallorca (Iborra)
Levante have their fourth as Martins dispossesses Bigas in the penalty area before squaring for Iborra to thump his effort into the back of the net from close range. This score really could be anything in the remaining 30 minutes or so.
I am not entirely sure what Martins has had for breakfast this morning, but this is as well as I have seen him play all season. He has been an absolute menace to Mallorca. Meanwhile, the away side make a double change as Victor and Pina are replaced by Marti and Conceicao.
Mallorca have a half-chance to cut the scoring to 4-1 as Tomer Hemed feeds Dos Santos in the penalty area, but the Mexican's strike is blocked by Lell and the danger is cleared. Martins's pace immediately threatens down the other end, but the striker just cannot latch onto a long ball.
This is exactly how Levante have been this season. You couldn't say that they have played particularly well in this match, but they find themselves 4-0 ahead. For Mallorca, a defeat such as this could have a huge impact on their season. It could make or break them.
Not a great deal happening in terms of attacking intent at the moment. Mallorca are enjoying more of the possession, but they have failed to create a clear chance in the 66 minutes of football thus far. Meanwhile, Martins continues to hassle and harry down the other end.
Half-chance for the home side to add their fifth as Iborra whips a corner into the penalty area, but Aouate manages to punch the danger clear. There's a strange atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters almost waiting for the next goal to arrive. Almost like it is a given.
The pressure continues from the home side as they force two corners in quick succession, but the danger is cleared after some desperate defending . Meanwhile, Levante make their first change of the match as El Zhar is replaced by Roger Marti. Little over 20 minutes of football to play.
It is almost like a training exercise at the moment with Levante passing and probing in the Mallorca half. The away side set up a counter as Bigas pinches from Barkero, but once more the final pass is poor and the danger is cleared. That has summed up their match.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and the match has taken the shape of a pre-season fixture. Levante are certainly playing within themselves, while Mallorca are lacking in ideas and quality. On this performance they are a million miles away from where they want to be.
Levante make their second change of the match as Michel is replaced by Miguel Pallardo. The midfielder has put in some shift this afternoon. Let me take this moment to remind you that we have three back-to-back live commentaries from La Liga this afternoon. Join us from 3.30pm for all the action.
Half-chance for Martins to add his second of the match as the striker advances through on goal, but his strike is saved by Aouate before Nunes hooks clear. Mallorca advance down the other end in the shape of Hemed, but he slices his effort out for a throw.
Levante make their third change of the match as Navarro is replaced by Hector Rodas. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Levante remain the side in the driving seat. Mallorca are enjoying possession of the ball, but without ever threatening to open their tally.
Another half-chance for Levante to score their fifth as Martins gathers a long pass from Ruben, but the former Newcastle United striker just cannot steady his feet at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. There is another goal in this match.
You will have to put up with some more rambling from me in the final moments of this match with the action on the pitch almost non-existent. For the neutral, the last 20 minutes or so has been a disappointment, but for supporters of Levante there are certainly good times ahead.
Another half-chance for Levante to add their fifth as Juanfran ghosts into the penalty area, but his powerful shot is blocked by Bigas on route to goal. Little over four minutes of normal time remaining and the home side are in total control. They will move just a point behind a Champions League spot.
Possession football from the home side in the latter stages of the match with Martins having dropped into a midfield role to keep the ball and frustrate Mallorca. They simply have nothing left to give as their poor run of form continues.
Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes at the end of the match. In truth, not a great deal happening at the moment with possession currently with the Levante defence.
One final attempt for the home side as Martins picks up possession outside the box before firing towards the top corner, but it just misses the post. That will be just about it for this one.
Levante 4-0 Real Mallorca
A comprehensive home win for Levante moves them into sixth spot in the table. Meanwhile, Mallorca remain just one spot outside the relegation zone in 17th position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us from 3.30pm for three back-to-back live commentaries in La Liga. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
