Levante 1-2 Zaragoza - Zaragoza end drop fears

Posted Saturday, May 21, 2011 by PA

A Gabi brace saw Zaragoza secure survival with a deserved 2-1 win at Levante in the last round of the Primera Division.

The midfielder struck once in each half to give Javier Aguirre's side a two-goal cushion, but there were nervous moments for the Aragonese outfit late on after Cristian Stuani's strike with 11 minutes remaining.

Zaragoza held on, though, to secure their Primera Division status on a dramatic last day.

Aguirre's side started in 18th place and did not depend on themselves to stay up, but they knew a win would give them a good chance of survival with five other clubs also in danger of going down.

And against a Levante side who already secured survival and looked more interested in their summer holidays, Zaragoza dominated.

Backed by thousands of visiting fans, the Aragonese side twice came close through Angel Lafita and Levante keeper Gustavo Munua also denied Jiri Jarosik and Ander Herrera in the first half an hour.

The visitors also had an effort ruled out for offside as they continued to dominate, but Gabi fired them into the lead seven minutes short of the interval and came close with a fierce left-footed effort after the break.

Diogo then headed against the crossbar as Zaragoza sought a second and it came with 18 minutes left, when Gabi fired home from the edge of the box.

Stuani then headed home from a free-kick to make the visitors nervous seven minutes later, but Zaragoza held on to finish in 13th, two points clear of relegated Deportivo La Coruna.

Levante finished in 14th, with the same amount of points.