Nabil El Zhar stars as Levante thrash Espanyol

Nabil El Zhar netted a brace as Levante recorded their biggest win since Valentine's Day by thrashing Espanyol in Valencia this evening.

The former Liverpool forward broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a well-taken penalty kick after he had been brought down by Victor Sanchez.

El Zhar provided the cross for Papa Babacar Diawara to double the hosts' lead moments later.

The Morocco international then completed the scoring early in the second half with a terrific solo effort.

Levante climb two places to seventh in the La Liga table, while Espanyol drop below Joaquin Caparros's men into eighth.

Only Barcelona and Real Madrid have beaten Levante so far this season.