Eibar fight back to draw 1-1 vs Levante in a game they could have won
Stoichkov cancelled out an own goal in a match in which Los Armeros had the better chances
Eibar drew 1-1 with Levante on Sunday, thanks to a Stoichkov equaliser that came just three minutes after an own goal had given the visitors the lead. That strike meant Los Armeros salvaged a point from a game where Eibar had the better chances overall.
It was initially an even game, with both sides keen to impose their style of play as they looked for the opposition goal.
Eibar showed more bite and looked dangerous around the opposition penalty area. The clearest chance of the first half came in the 23rd minute, when Tejero's shot after a Bautista cross from the byline whistled just past the post.
Matheus also had a chance to score in the 34th minute with a left-footed shot from outside the box, while Rahmani had a header come close from a corner in the 39th minute. In both cases, the ball went just over.
After the break, the same intense tempo continued, with Garitano’s team closer to opening the scoring than Levante. In the 61st minute, for example, Yanis Rahmani was unable to finish a good attacking move by centimetres.
Eibar’s misfortune was compounded in the 66th minute when Arbilla turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear a Levante pass from the right.
A swift reaction was needed and that’s exactly what happened. Just three minutes later, Stoichkov pinched the ball off the Levante defence in their own area and scored with a low shot.
Eibar kept pushing for a winner until the end, but were unable to complete the comeback. Levante are a force to be reckoned with in the division, but saw their powerful attacking play cancelled out by the league leaders.
Garitano’s side have now gone eight consecutive games without defeat, although they’ll now look to get back to winning ways soon to stay up at the top of the table.