Levante score rare victory in La Liga

Last-placed Levante have defeated Elche 3-0 for only the third win of their Spanish league campaign.

Jose Luis Morales, Jorge de Frutos and Gonzalo Melero scored for the hosts, who moved within six points of safety ahead of the weekend matches.

Levante's other wins were against Mallorca in January and at defending champions Atletico Madrid this month.

They drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo in their last match.

Elche were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute following a straight red card to midfielder Gerard Gumbau for an over zealous challenge.

Elche, sitting in 13th place, had won four of their last six league matches with the setbacks being a draw at league leaders Real Madrid and a loss at second-placed Sevilla.