Barcelona: Levante's memorable start to the Spanish league was dealt another blow on Saturday as the Spanish minnow lost 2-0 to crosstown rival Valencia.
Levante had ridden a club record seven-game winning streak to the top of the table for the first time in its 102-year history, but for the second consecutive game it fell without scoring and missed the chance to retake the overnight lead.
"The season is long and although we have lost two straight, I am sure we will get back up and move forward," said Levante coach Juan Ignacio Martinez.
Levante began well at Ciutat de Valencia Stadium where it had won its previous four matches, with Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita diving to keep out Juanlu Gomez's low shot three minutes in.
Valencia went ahead in the 31st when winger Jordi Alba forced Levante defender Javi Venta into poking the ball under goalkeeper Gustavo Munua as he rushed into the area to reach a well-placed pass by Tino Costa.
Costa put the result beyond doubt in the 50th when Munua whiffed trying to block his curling free kick.
Levante pressed late but Guaita made another save to deny substitute Carlos Aranda's long blast in the 73rd.
The defeat left Levante two points behind leader Real Madrid and one point behind both defending champion Barcelona and Valencia.
Madrid plays Osasuna in Sunday's early match before Barcelona visits the inform Athletic Bilbao.
"We won a tough game. Even though it probably wasn't very pretty to watch, it was very intense on the pitch," said Costa, who got a rare start to fill in for midfielder Ever Banega.
Costa also had gracious words for Levante.
"We have to congratulate them for having arrived so high in the table because they deserve it," Costa said.
In league play, Valencia has won three straight and is undefeated in its last six games.
Earlier, Sevilla was held to 0-0 at Mallorca, while Malaga drew 0-0 at Real Betis in a lackluster Andalucian derby.
Both Sevilla and Malaga struggled to attack in the first half on the rain-soaked pitch at Iberostar Stadium.
Mallorca forward Emilio Nsue came closest to breaking the deadlock with a long strike in the 40th minute that Sevilla goalkeeper Javi Varas did well to parry.
Mallorca outplayed Sevilla after halftime but failed to convert its chances as it remained winless since coach Joaquin Caparros took over from Michael Laudrup.
Sevilla's fifth draw in as many away games this season left it five points behind fourth-place Levante.
"The team showed merits enough to have earned the three points, above all in the second half," said Caparros. "If we continue playing like today we will win many games since the attitude of the team, both hungry and angry, was very good."
In Seville, Malaga demonstrated more attacking intent early, but Betis missed the best opportunity to get its first win in seven weeks when Ruben Castro shot over the crossbar from close range seven minutes in.
"We played better, we just lacked putting the ball in the net," said Betis coach Pepe Mel.
Malaga remained in sixth place, one point behind Sevilla.
Also on Sunday, it's: Granada vs. Racing Santander, Real Zaragoza vs. Sporting Gijon, Espanyol vs. Villarreal, Rayo Vallecano vs. Real Sociedad, and Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid.
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