Levante moved to the top of the Spanish league standings for the first time ever after beating Villarreal 3-0 for its sixth consecutive win Sunday. The modest club, which has the smallest budget in Spain's first division, extended its record start to move one point ahead of Real Madrid and two points ahead of defending champion Barcelona. The undefeated Levante, which two seasons ago played in the second division, had little trouble adding the lackluster Villarreal to its list of victims that includes Madrid and big-spending Malaga. Earlier, Roberto Soldado's late goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Valencia against Athletic Bilbao, while Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Mallorca. Also, Osasuna beat Zaragoza 3-0, Rayo Vallecano scored twice late to down Real Betis 2-0 and Getafe drew 0-0 at Real Sociedad. In Sevilla, Betis lost to Rayo Vallecano 2-0. Eriksson leaves Leicester Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has left his position as Leicester manager by “mutual agreement”, the Championship club confirmed in a statement on its website Monday. The 63-year-old had held talks with the club's Thai owners Monday after Saturday's 3-0 home defeat to Millwall left them 13th in the table, albeit only two points outside the playoff places. However, the Thai owners are unhappy that after spending £10 million on new players during the close season — a sizeable amount by Championship standards — that the results have not been better. “Leicester City Football Club has confirmed today that, by mutual agreement, Sven-Goran Eriksson has ceased to be the first team manager, with immediate effect,” read the club statement. “First team coach Dereck Fazackerley has also left the club. “The club and its board of directors would like to thank Sven and Derek for the contribution they have made to Leicester City during their 13 months at King Power Stadium.” The club added that it would not be making any further announcement.
