Levante welcomed Celta Vigo to Valencia on Saturday knowing that a point would move them out of the bottom three in La Liga.
Both sides had half-chances in an entertaining first period, but neither could make the breakthrough.
It was a similar story in the second 45 minutes, but Charles popped up three minutes from time to win it for Celta.
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 Valencia as Levante welcome Celta Vigo. Victory for the home side would move them out of the relegation zone, but Celta will be keen to bounce back from back-to-back defeats in the league. Let's hope for a cracker here!
Without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
It seems that Celta Vigo are being very secretive with their team news at the moment. I shall bring you up-to-date when it becomes available! I think they want to surprise Levante last minute.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Celta have won three of the last five matches, with Levante also winning once and the further clash ending in a draw. In the corresponding match last season, Celta recorded a 1-0 victory in this stadium, while they were also 3-0 winners when Levante travelled to Vigo in the reverse match back in October.
Levante will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid last weekend, but they have won three of their last six in the league. As it stands, they remain in 18th position in the table, but they are level on points (25) with both Deportivo La Coruna and Almeria. In truth, only Cordoba are being cut adrift at the bottom of the table as the race to remain in the league continues to hot up.
Levante's home form this season has been strong – winning five of their 13 games and picking up points in eight of them. However, it has been a different story on the road, where they have recorded just one win and scored only nine goals. Their away form has been especially poor in recent weeks, but two of their last three league games on the road have been at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Celta, meanwhile, are without a win in their last three in the league. Last time out, they lost at home to Athletic Bilbao, with that result leaving them in 11th position in the table. They have been capable of some big results at times this season, but it has been a fairly disappointing campaign. They are, however, seven points clear of the relegation zone and a battle against the drop is unlikely.
Despite a poor run in recent weeks, they are only one point off ninth-place Espanyol and just four points off the top eight. They have won also five of their 13 home league games this season, but they have only picked up three wins on the road – losing seven times in the process. When Celta are good, they are very, very good, but when they are poor, they give teams a real chance against them.
Right, the CONFIRMED TEAMS are finally in...
TEAMS:
LEVANTE: Marino; Morales, Navarro, Ramis, Tono; Simao, Diop; Xumetra, Barral, Garcia; Uche
CELTA: Alvarez; Mallo, Cabral, Fontas, Jonny; Orellana, Krohn-Dehli, Fernandez; Nolito, Larrivey, Mina
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Levante XI this evening, with Kalu Uche once again leading the line with support from David Barral. There is also a start for Ruben Garcia, but Nabil El Zhar and Rafael Martinez are both on the bench. It appears to be a 4-2-3-1 formation for the hosts.
Celta, meanwhile, who were very secretive with their team news until the last couple of minutes, have gone extremely attacking tonight. Nolito, Joaquin Larrivey and Santi Mina all start in what is a front three, while Michael Krohn-Dehli and Fabian Orellana are also in the XI. Good grief that is attacking!
LA LIGA RESULT: Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Malaga
Big win for Rayo Vallecano as they beat Malaga in the Spanish capital. Right, over to Valencia. Both teams are just about to join us on the pitch for the first period. Let's hope for an entertaining game.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be massive this evening. Can Levante move out of the bottom three? It is the away side that get the action underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium tonight, but there is a good atmosphere. Levante will need their fans this evening that is for certain. Not too much to report in the opening couple of minutes as both sides attempt to find their way in the middle of the park. It could be quite a bitty game here.
CHANCE! Excellent chance for the home side to open the scoring as Xumetra advances into the Celta box before attempting to find the near post, but Alvarez is out to make a smart save.
Just a few signs that Celta are starting to warm to their task as they enjoy a sustained period of possession in the final third. Krohn-Dehli is sitting very deep for the visitors in the early minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the visitors as Mina bundles his way past the Levante defence before advancing on goal, but his effort is tipped over the crossbar by Marino. Some save that!
Well, some might have thought that this game would be a little dull. It has been anything but. Both teams have already had good chances as the match continues to flow from end-to-end in Valencia.
CHANCE! Yet another opportunity, this time for Levante as Morales delivers a super cross towards Uche, who powers a header towards the top corner, but his effort is just high of the crossbar.
I usually jinx it when I say this, but I would be astounded if this game finished goalless. We could already have had three goals in the opening 12 minutes. Neither side is really in control of the possession at the moment, which is creating an open affair. It is a proper game of football here.
Celta have the chance to threaten from a free kick just outside the Levante box...
... Orellana takes the free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall. Not great.
It has been a good spell for Levante in the last couple of minutes in terms of possession, but they are just struggling to find that elusive final pass, which has been the story of their season in truth.
Morales threatens to advance beyond the Celta defence, but Fontas has enough pace to deal with the danger. The visitors are down the other end with Larrivey moments later, but the striker is ruled offside. Still goalless with 17 minutes on the clock, but there is plenty happening here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes as Levante continue to struggle in the final third. Celta, meanwhile, have relinquished the ball with some sloppy passing.
Half-chance for the home side as Simao slides a pass beyond the Celta defence, but Xumetra cannot beat Alvarez to the ball and the danger is cleared. Levante are on top at the moment here.
The home side are getting plenty of joy down the right at the moment as Morales again breaks forward before delivering, but Alvarez is on hand to collect. The space is there for Levante to harm Celta, but the quality into Uche has been poor thus far. Still we wait for the first goal in Valencia.
In truth, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either side this evening, but both sides are attempting to force the issue in the final third. Chances, however, have really dried up here.
Celta come close to creating a shooting chance as Nolito combines with Larrivey outside the Levante box, but the return pass to the Spaniard is just too strong and Marino is out to collect.
BOOKING! Larrivey (Celta) is booked for dissent.
The referee has been more busy than he would have liked in the last few moments following a number of late challenges. The match has become a little bitty following an end-to-end opening.
It is wonderful work from Mallo as the Celta full-back shows two Levante defenders a clean pair of heels inside the box, but there are no takers on his cross. Moments later, Nolito rounds Marino, but the Brazilian striker was in an offside position. Still goalless with 34 minutes on the clock.
CLOSE! Levante come close to breaking the deadlock as Garcia arrows one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just moves wide of the post. Super strike from the Spaniard!
The pace of the match has just picked up again in the last five or so minutes, with Celta committing numbers each time they break forward. Will we have a goal before the interval here?
Levante want a penalty as Barral goes down inside the Celta box under pressure from Cabral, but the referee is not interested. It was a heavy challenge from the defender that is for certain!
BOOKING! Tono (Levante) is booked for a rash challenge on Mina.
BOOKING! Barral (Levante) is booked for a late challenge on Fernandez.
It is all very bitty at the moment as we approach the interval in Valencia.
The referee will do well to keep all 22 players on the field this evening as late challenges continue to arrive. Unfortunately, it has really impacted the flow of this match in the last five minutes or so.
POST! Oh my word what a strike! Celta come close to taking the lead as Orellana curls one towards the top corner, but it smashes against the woodwork. What a goal that would have been!
Levante break straight down the other end and Uche's presence forces a corner, but Celta manage to clear. This is more like it - end-to-end football as we approach the interval in Valencia.
BOOKING! Diop (Levante) is booked for a poor challenge on Krohn-Dehli.
HALF-TIME: Levante 0-0 Celta
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both have had opportunities to open the scoring, but it remains goalless at the interval in Valencia.
STATS! Celta have dominated the possession with 70%, while they have had seven attempts, although just one of those has been on target. Levante, meanwhile, have only managed two attempts off target thus far. In truth, Celta can feel a touch unfortunate not to be ahead in this one.
BENCH WATCH! Levante boss Alcaraz has a number of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of El Zhar, Casadesus and Martins all in reserve. Celta, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Charles and January signing Theo Bondonda. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Surely this one is not heading for a goalless draw? It is the home side that get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes from either side at the break, which is not too surprising at this stage of the game. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains goalless for the next 15 minutes or so.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Celta are on the front foot. In fairness, the state of the pitch is making it difficult for both sides tonight.
CHANCE! Celta come close to making the breakthrough as Nolito combines with Larrivey before curling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just misses the post. So unlucky for the Spaniard!
Levante have not really been in this match in the second period as the visitors continue to force the issue. Krohn-Dehli tries his luck this time, but his effort was always curling just wide of the post.
CHANCE! It is Levante's turn to come close as Morales drives into the Celta box before crossing towards Barral, but the Spaniard's effort is deflected wide for a corner. It is starting to hot up here!
Morales takes matters into his own hands this time, but his effort is high of the crossbar.
SUB! Levante make their first change as Diop is replaced by Jose Mari.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a miss! Celta come close to taking the lead as Larrivey slides an excellent pass into Orellana, who seemingly cannot miss from close range, but the Chilean fires wide!
Levante would have had something to say if that Orellana chance went in, with Garcia on the deck down the other end of the field. The hosts wanted the ball played out before the attack occurred.
As far as goalless draws go, this has been up there. It has taken a little while for the second period to get going, but now both teams are threatening to break the deadlock with 61 minutes played.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Barral's pace takes him away from two defenders and into the box, but the Spaniard tries to cross instead of shooting and the danger is cleared.
Both sides are committing numbers in the final third as we approach the final 25 minutes of action in Valencia. How on earth is still game still goalless? Both sides have had golden opportunities.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Levante have already made one alteration, but Celta still have all three permitted changes remaining.
SUB! Levante make their second change of the match as El Zhar replaces Xumetra.
You just get the feeling that one goal would be enough to take all the points in this one. Levante threaten with a corner from the right, but Mallo is on hand to clear under pressure from Uche.
Another half-chance for the home side as Uche meets a corner from the right, but his header was always straight into the arms of Alvarez. Still goalless with little under 20 minutes remaining here.
Celta are still waiting to make their first change. The ball has been in play for about three hours!
SUB! Celta make their first change as Mina is replaced by Hernandez.
Possession football from Celta as we approach the latter stages of this match. I said that it would not be a goalless draw after such a fast start, but I appear to have cursed a game once again.
Half-chance for the home side as Mari meets a loose ball outside the box, but the midfielder's effort was always moving wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of normal time remaining.
SUB! Celta make their second change as Charles replaces Larrivey.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few minutes, but you just get the feeling that Celta have more attacking intent as we approach the final stages of this match.
Orellana has time and space in a wide area for the visitors, but the Chilean's cross is headed clear. Celta come straight back, however, as they pin Levante to the edge of their own penalty box.
SUB! Levante make their third change as Rafael replaces Garcia.
BOOKING! Mallo (Celta) is booked for a late challenge on Barral.
Celta again threaten with a deep free kick, but the referee eases the pressure on Levante when he blows for a foul following a collision inside the box. Is there to be a late sting in the tail here?
GOAL! Levante 0-1 Celta (Charles)
Oh my word! Celta might well have won this in the final couple of minutes as Charles converts a low cross from Nolito. It is so cruel on Levante, but Celta just about deserve it!
Celta were the team on the front foot as the second period developed and they might well have won this in the latter stages. Levante appear to have nothing left at this stage of the match.
SUB! Celta make their third change as Krohn-Dehli is replaced by Radoja.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes here.
Levante push everyone forward after gaining a free kick just inside their own half, but Celta manage to clear down-field as time continues to tick away. Levante do not have much left.
CHANCE! Nolito has the chance to score a second for Celta after excellent work from Orellana, but Marino is on hand to make a wonderful save. I shouldn't think it will matter though.
FULL-TIME: Levante 0-1 Celta
So there we have it. Levante remain in the relegation zone as Charles's late strike wins it for Celta, who return to the top half of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
