David Barral hat-trick earns Levante crucial win at Almeria

David Barral struck a hat-trick to inspire Levante to a crucial 4-1 victory in their relegation six-pointer with 10-man Almeria.

The three points lift Lucas Alcaraz's side out of the La Liga relegation zone at the expense of their opponents, who are now winless in seven games.

Barrel opened his account for the evening when he converted from Andreas Ivanschitz's cross on 18 minutes.

Almeria had two good chances to quickly equalise as Diego Marino saved from Tomer Hemed and then reacted well to thwart Thievy Bifouma from the rebound.

The Levante keeper's good work paid dividends at the other end as Victor Casadesus produced a powerful header to double their lead just after the half-hour mark.

The hosts again reacted well, but Angel Trujillo glanced wide from a set-piece delivery and they could not reduce the deficit by the break.

Almeria were already on the back foot and the game was taken away from them in the space of three second-half minutes as Barral extended Levante's advantage before Sebastian Dubarbier was dismissed for a second booking.

Eleven minutes after going a man down, Juan Ignacio Martinez's side pulled one back from the penalty spot as Hemed converted into the bottom-left corner after Loukas Vyntra's foul inside the box.

There was to be no dramatic comeback, though, as Barral completed his treble and made the points secure for Levante when he collected a pass from Casadesus to slot into the bottom corner on 75 minutes.