Sunday evening's La Liga clash in Gran Canaria pitted newly-promoted Las Palmas against Levante.
The hosts shaded the first period of action, but neither side could find the back of the net in the opening half.
The intensity improved in the second 45 minutes as both sides adopted a more attacking approach, but neither could break the deadlock as the points were shared.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Gran Canaria as newly-promoted Las Palmas welcome Levante. The Yellows were very impressive during their 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid last weekend and they will be keen to put some points on the board against a Levante side that lost their league opener 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo last weekend. Here's to a good game!
This will be just the third top-flight meeting between these two teams and the first since 1965. Levante have never beaten Las Palmas in the Primera – losing one and drawing one of their two fixtures at the top level. The last time that the pair met at this stadium was back in 2009, when Levante took all three points from the Segunda Division clash with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Las Palmas are playing La Liga football for the first time since the 2001-02 season, when they were relegated in 18th position. Since then, they have spent 11 seasons in the Segunda and two in the Segunda B. They barely stayed in the Segunda between 2006 and 2011, but have gradually improved and last season, finished fourth in Spain's second league before advancing through the playoffs.
As for Levante, they finished 14th in La Liga last season – just two points outside of the relegation zone. They lost seven of their 19 league games at home, but it was on their travels where they really struggled – scoring just 14 goals and losing 12 times. These are the type of games where we will find out whether they will again be in for a difficult season. Right, let me confirm the team news...
TEAMS
LAS PALMAS: Varas; Simon, Aythami, Bigas, Alcaraz, Dani C; Hernan, Roque, Culio, Viera; Araujo
LEVANTE: Ruben; Tono, Juanfran, Feddal, Trujillo, Lopez; Verza, Mari, Camarasa; Deyverson, Ghilas
KICK OFF! Here we go then - both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes. Let's hope for a good game as the away side get the first period underway here...
... not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium this evening if we are honest, but with two good footballing teams on display, it should be a good game. Nothing much to note early on.
Half-chance for Levante as Mari meets a deep free kick from Ghilas, but his header was always rising over the crossbar. Plenty of late challenges occurring all over the field early on tonight!
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments as Simon finds space down the right, but his low strike is blocked by Tono, before Levante manage to clear the danger. The early suggestions are that we will have goals this evening - both defensives are a little shaky here!
Las Palmas continue to move the ball in the final third and Simon is once again found in a wide area, but the full-back's low cross is stabbed away by a red shirt. Araujo does manage to collect, but the striker is penalised for a foul inside the Levante box. Good tempo to the match here.
Levante, who made a bright start to this match, have faded and it is now the home team in control. Neither side has been able to create a chance of note, however, which is the name of the game.
Mesa has been bright for the home side in the opening 12 minutes and the Spaniard again combines with Simon before delivering, but Feddal is on hand to clear the danger.
Levante are playing five at the back this evening, which is an indication of their approach. Mesa remains Las Palmas' biggest threat in the final third, but neither goalkeeper has been worked yet.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Mari breaks clear of two challenges before trying his luck, but Varas is on hand to make the save. End-to-end football in the last few moments.
The ground has started to fill up in the last couple of minutes, which is good news because the atmosphere is not the best inside the stadium. Bit of a scrappy spell on the pitch, however, as both teams continue to relinquish possession in the final third. Overall quality is lacking at the moment.
Both managers are prowling the touchline at the moment as the first period continues to gather pace. Las Palmas are the team on the front foot, but still no real chances for either team here.
Levante almost seem to be time-wasting in this first period, which is a surprise at this stage of the match. It is even more of a surprise away to a newly-promoted team. We need a spark here!
Not an awful lot to report at the moment as Levante continue to shut down in a defensive area, which is making it very difficult for the home team to find time and space in the final third.
Just a reminder that both of these teams were beaten last weekend. Las Palmas lost 1-0 at Atletico, before Levante were beaten 2-1 at home by Celta. Would a point suit both here? Quite likely!
Half-chance for Levante this time as Mari meets a long throw from the right, but Las Palmas' goalkeeper manages to collect before releasing Aruajo in a forward position. Still goalless.
We have not seen an awful lot from either team's attack in the opening 31 minutes, which will disappoint both managers. Las Palmas' continue to play the better football, but clear chances have been few and far between. To be honest, it has not been a very good game thus far here!
Las Palmas have a shout for a penalty as Juanfran challenges Araujo inside the box, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen them given - Juanfran just bundled into Araujo there.
Half-chance for Araujo this time after smart work from Viera, but the Argentine can only fire wide of the post. Little better in terms of tempo in the last five or so minutes in Gran Canaria.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the match falls to Las Palmas as Mesa dances into the Levante box before trying his luck on goal, but his effort is deflected just wide of the post!
CLOSE! Much, much better from the home side as Araujo turns outside the box before driving a low effort towards the bottom corner, but he misses the far post. This is more like it!
Levante have been very poor in the final third this evening and that is being kind, very kind indeed. The visitors have set up with a five-man defence and are not interested in attacking tonight.
Las Palmas continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field.
HALF-TIME: Las Palmas 0-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Las Palmas have been by far the more progressive in the final third, but poor finishing has cost them the chance to take the lead. As for Levante, they have really struggled in attacking areas.
STATS! Las Palmas have dominated the possession with 59%, but they have not yet hit the target despite having six attempts. Levante, meanwhile, have hit the target twice, but neither tested the home side's goalkeeper. No yellow cards thus far, but there have been some tasty challenges!
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of El Zhar, Valeron and Willian Jose all capable of making a difference. Levante, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Casadesus, Garcia, Morales and Lerma.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the field for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough in Gran Canaria? The home side get the second half underway...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 15, 20 minutes.
Not an awful lot to report in the early stages of the second period, but the home team remain the more progressive in the final third. Viera does well to find space down the right, but his low cross is cleared by Feddal. We are in need of some quality in this match. Can the hosts provide it?
Half-chance for the home side as a super ball from Viera causes problems inside the Levante box, but Verza does well to head behind for a corner. Good pressure from Las Palmas early on here.
BOOKING! Deyverson (Levante) is booked for handball.
Las Palmas again have a half-chance as Mesa meets a loose punch from Ruben, but the midfielder's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Levante are struggling at the moment here.
Another half-chance for the home side as Simon drives into the Levante box before attempting to squeeze the ball home from a tight angle, but Ruben is on hand to make the save. Still 0-0.
The referee has been busier than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes as both teams continue to commit late challenges. Las Palmas are by far the better team at the moment here.
LEVANTE SUB: Casadesus replaces Mari for the visitors.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in Gran Canaria and we are still waiting for the first goal of the match. Levante have set up with a five-man defence this evening and are achieving what they set out to achieve at the moment. In truth, it has not been a good game for the neutral!
BOOKING! Ruben (Levante) is booked for time-wasting.
There is more happening on the sidelines than there is on the pitch at the moment as the referee goes across to send off someone on the Levante bench! Not confirmed who as it stands...
... it is Levante's number two that has been dismissed for dissent.
BOOKING! Culio (Las Palmas) is booked for a late challenge on Verza.
Levante have managed to gain some good ground over the last couple of minutes, but the quality of their set pieces have been very disappointing indeed. Still goalless with 67 minutes played.
BOOKING! Juanfran (Levante) is booked for pulling back Viera.
CHANCE! Super chance for Las Palmas to take the lead as a brilliantly-worked free kick ends with Culio finding the head of Aythami, but the skipper's header is just over the crossbar!
LEVANTE SUB: Levante make their second change as Roger replaces Deyverson.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and the away side have just started to make their mark in the final third. It has been a better second period than first, but the overall quality from both teams has been very disappointing indeed. Based on this game, both will struggle this season.
Not too much from Las Palmas in the last five or 10 minutes as Levante continue to look forward. Clear chances, however, remain at a premium as the second period continues to gather pace.
Viera has had a strong second period for the home team, but Levante are doing a good job of stopping the former Valencia attacker whenever he drives into the final third. Las Palmas have another half-chance as Culio meets a loose ball outside the box, but his effort is high and wide.
BOOKING! Lopez (Levante) is booked for dissent.
Another potentially bright moment comes and goes for the home side as Viera wastes a free kick in a dangerous position. Little over five minutes of football remaining and it is still 0-0 here.
Levante goalkeeper Ruben collects a low and fairly weak effort from Hernan.
LAS PALMAS SUB: El Zhar replaces Viera.
19.057 espectadores se han dado cita en el Gran Canaria, ¡gracias afición!
— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) August 30, 2015
BOOKING! Mesa (Las Palmas) is booked for pulling Juanfran's shirt.
LAS PALMAS SUB: Mesa is replaced by Willian Jose.
Half-chance for the home side as El Zhar does well to drive away from two defenders before finding Araujo, but the striker's effort is blocked. We are heading for the final minute of normal time.
LEVANTE SUB: Ghilas is replaced by Lerma.
We are into the second of three additional minutes in Gran Canaria.
It is Las Palmas that are pushing for a later winner here as we approach full-time, but it does appear that both teams will have to settle for a share of the spoils. It has been a poor game!
CLOSE! Almost a late and indeed spectacular winner from Araujo as the Las Palmas forward produces an over-head kick from the edge of the box, but his effort drops just wide!
FULL-TIME: Las Palmas 0-0 Levante
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points behind shared in a 0-0 draw - that was a disappointing game! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
