Levante 2 : 1 Hercules CF - Levante run continues

Levante extended their rich vein of recent form with a deserved 2-1 win at home to Hercules in the Primera Division and now look all but safe with six rounds of matches left to play.

The Valencia-based side have now won eight of their last 12 games and drawn three, with their only defeat in that time coming away to Real Madrid.

Ruben Suarez gave Luis Garcia's side the lead early on and Juanlu made it two just before the conclusion of a completely one-sided first half.

David Trezeguet bagged a late consolation for Hercules, but the visitors deserved nothing from the game and remain in the relegation zone.

Both teams had spoken during the week of the need to reach the symbolic total of 42 points, which is generally considered enough to avoid the drop.

Levante began the day just three short of that target, but Hercules were nine points worse off and badly needed a win in this match.

They got off to the worst possible start, though, as Suarez curled a brilliant free-kick into the top corner from fully 30 yards with a sweet left-footed strike.

Suarez and Cristian Stuani both came close after that as Levante continued to dominate.

And Juanlu did make it two just before the interval, when he received the ball in space, sidestepped two desperate challenges and lashed a fierce angled drive just inside the post.

Trezeguet pounced to give Hercules hope eight minutes from time after Sergio Ballesteros had failed to clear, but it was too little, too late for the visitors, who had created very little all match.

Levante, in ninth, now have 12 more points than Hercules, in 19th.