Deportivo La Coruna have climbed out of the La Liga relegation zone courtesy of a 2-0 win over Levante in the penultimate match of the season this evening.
After a quiet start to the match, it was the home side that opened the scoring just over 20 minutes into the tie as Lucas Perez lofted the ball into the box for Alberto Lopo, leaving him to slot home from close range.
Jose Morales tried to set up an equaliser down the other end, sending in a promising through-ball, but none of his Levante teammates were ready to connect with it.
Celso Borges was on the charge early in the second half as Deportivo pushed to double their lead, but his finish was turned behind for a corner following a solo run from midfield.
Victor Casadesus tried his luck from range as the visitors continued to look for a way to get back on level terms, but Fabri tipped it over the bar, while a Juanfran free kick was held by the keeper a few minutes later.
Perez could have sealed the win inside the final 15 minutes when he controlled a cross in, but he hurried his shot, firing wide of the post.
The points were in the bag inside the final 10 minutes, though, as Perez teed the ball up for Juanfran, leaving the midfielder to unleash a rocket from outside the box, striking the inside of the post on the way in.
The result lifts Deportivo out of the relegation zone and up to 16th in the table, while Levante sit 15th.
Sian Cowper
