Rayo win while Levante and Espanyol draw in La Liga

MADRID, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Espanyol remains fifth in La Liga despite being held to a 1-1 draw away to second-from-bottom Levante on Sunday afternoon.

Left back Carlos Romero put Espanyol ahead with his second stunning goal in three games in the 53rd minute, when he controlled a clearance before volleying a powerful shot into the corner of the net.

The visiting side's joy lasted just two minutes before Iker Losada took advantage of a loss of concentration in the Espanyol defense to get behind the back four and level the scores.

Although Levante remains 19th, the Valencia-based outfit has taken four points from two games since the arrival of new coach Luis Castro.

In Sunday's other action, Rayo Vallecano ended a run of eight games in La Liga without a win thanks to a 2-1 triumph at home to Real Mallorca.

Jorge de Frutos put Rayo ahead in the fourth minute and after Vedat Muriqi equalized with another trademark flying header, Izi Palazon won the game for Rayo with a 42nd-minute penalty.

Oscar Valentin was sent off with 10 minutes left but Rayo held on for a vital win against a Mallorca side that sits 17th, just a point above Valencia.

In Saturday's games, Villarreal won 3-1 at home to Deportivo Alaves to close the gap at the top of La Liga to seven points behind FC Barcelona with a game in hand.

Oviedo and Real Betis drew 1-1, with Oviedo unhappy about a possible push as Giovani Lo Celso equalized for Betis in the closing moments.

Girona continued to improve with Vladislav Vanat scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win away to Osasuna that has failed to win in 10 away matches this season.

Meanwhile, Valencia remains in the bottom three after a 1-1 draw at home to Elche, which infuriated the home fans, a section of whom refused to let the Valencia players leave the Mestalla Stadium afterwards. ■