Deportivo La Coruna 0 : 1 Levante - Depor downed by Ruben strike

Posted Sunday, March 20, 2011 by PA

A late Ruben free-kick earned Levante three points against Deportivo La Coruna at the Estadio Riazor and maintained the Valencia club's impressive recent run of form.

Deportivo have now suffered back-to-back defeats having previously been unbeaten in five, while Levante's success means they have lost just once in nine Primera Division matches.

Levante threatened early on as Valdo (three) and Felipe Caicedo (seven) shot high and wide but Gustavo Munua did well at the other end to tip a 20-yard shot from Lassad Nouioui around the post.

Valdo headed over Xavi Torres' corner as the game approached the 10-minute mark and Depor goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia did well to parry wide Jefferson Montero's angled drive.

Mexican midfielder Andres Guardado blasted a shot high for Depor before the match was delayed by a serious injury to Caicedo, with the Ecuadorian replaced by Christian Stuani five minutes before the break.

The half ended with a flurry of activity as Adrian's shot was well held by Munua before Levante substitute Stuani had an effort blocked by Aranzubia.

Lassad's right-foot shot off-target was the first attempt of note in the second period following a Guardado corner and the Tunisian forced Munua into another save in the 57th minute.

Stuani looked lively for the visitors and forced Aranzubia into action in the 67th minute, while the Depor goalkeeper also fielded a 30-yard Torres free-kick.

Xisco Nadal kept Aranzubia busy with a 25-yard drive in the 88th minute but Depor's resistance was finally broken in the final seconds of normal time when Juan Rodriguez fouled Stuani and Ruben drilled home the 30-yard set-piece.

One last chance presented itself to Depor but Lassad's shot was well held by Munua.