Villarreal turn on the style in the Valencian derby

Villarreal supremacy

Both sides cancelled each other out in an even opening to proceedings, but as the minutes passed, the hosts began to dominate and their supremacy told as they took a 2-0 lead into the break. Areola Alphonse produced a commanding performance between the sticks for Marcelino's well-drilled side, who enjoyed good spells of possession and proved too strong for Levante.

The Yellow Submarine strike

With 12 minutes on the clock, Villarreal made the breakthrough their possession deserved after Bruno knocked a ball over the top for Leo Baptistao, who drove into the area and toe-poked between Diego Mariño's legs to make it 1-0. Eighteen minutes later, Samu Castillejo doubled the home side's advantage as Adrian burst into the box before laying the ball off to Castillejo, who cooly side-footed home to make it 2-0.

Levante reaction

After the strikes from Baptistao and Castillejo, far from folding, the visitors upped their game and continued to threaten the Villarreal goal. Despite the Villarreal's domination, Jose Luis Morales and Deyverson both had chances to have reduced the deficit before the break, but they were unable to find a way post a formidable Areola. The French goalkeeper put in a fine performance to keep Los Granotas at bay.

More of the same after the break

The Yellow Submarine came back out after the interval in determined mood and continued to boss the game which saw them inevitably go on to add a third. The second half was barely three minutes old when Adrian slotted the ball past Mariño after he was teed up by a sublime outside-of-the-boot assist from Nahuel Leiva.

Navarro sees red

On 54 minutes, Levante were reduced to ten as David Navarro received his marching orders after being shown his second yellow of the game. Villarreal's numerical advantage saw them take total control in what became a damage limitation exercise for the visitors, who managed to see out the game at 3-0.