Joel Campbell gives Betis 3-2 win at Deportivo

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -Costa Rica forward Joel Campbell scored from long range to give Real Betis a 3-2 victory at Deportivo La Coruna in the Spanish league on Sunday.

Back-to-back wins for Betis lifted it into fourth place and the Champions League positions.

Ruben Castro put Betis in control with his seventh and eighth goals of the season in the 39th and 55th minutes, both coming from crosses by Ignacio "Nacho'' Perez.

Ivan "Riki'' Sanchez pulled Deportivo level with goals in the 56th and 61st, and Deportivo coach Jose Oltra sent on an extra striker for a defender in the 72nd, looking to complete the comeback.

But four minutes later, Campbell was given time to pick his spot before unleashing an unstoppable left-foot shot that landed just inside the far post to secure all three points.

"Our fans should be proud of this team,'' said Betis coach Pepe Mel. "The team fought as a unit and was quick to strike on the break. Both sides were brave with their decisions. We both sent on players to look for the win, but we were the lucky ones.''

Mel said that the 20-year-old Campbell, who arrived this summer loan from English club Arsenal, is finding his place with his new squad despite his commitments with his national team.

"Some people in Costa Rica may get angry that I say this, but we have always said that so many hours in a plane crossing the Atlantic is not good for him,'' said Mel. "Since he has been here with us he has learned the way we play. It's good for all of us, for Betis, Costa Rica, and the player that he does well now - so next year he will enjoy being with Arsenal.''

Deportivo's fourth consecutive game without a win left it in second-to-last place.

Also, Espanyol ended a run of three straight league losses by drawing 0-0 at Granada in the first game for new Espanyol coach Javier Aguirre.

Granada, which is also in the relegation zone, created more chances at Los Carmenes stadium but Espanyol's defensive stance proved enough to take away a point.

"Any points we can earn are, at this moment, a good thing,'' Aguirre said. "We were better in defense than attack. The effort of my players was exemplary because they showed combativeness and team spirit.''

Aguirre took over from Mauricio Pochettino midweek. The former Mexico manager previously coached three Spanish clubs: Osasuna, Atletico Madrid, and Real Zaragoza.

Granada has only one win in its last seven matches and coach Juan Anquela was jeered by the home crowd in the final minutes.

Levante, meanwhile, snatched a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo thanks to an exquisite passing combination which ended with substitute Roger Marti scoring the equalizer one minute from time.

After Levante's Obafemi Martins had come close twice, Celta forward Enrique de Lucas took Iago Aspas' through ball and beat goalkeeper Gustavo Munua with a low strike to put the hosts in front in the 37th.

And Celta looked set to get its second straight win until Jose Barkero lobbed a perfectly timed pass wide to Miguel "Michel'' Alfonso who fired in a cross for Roger to volley home.

Mallorca hosts Zaragoza later on Sunday.

On Saturday, leader Barcelona thrashed Athletic Bilbao 5-1 to set the best start in the history of the Spanish league with 13 wins and one draw.

Real Madrid beat second-place Atletico 2-0, Getafe edged out Malaga 1-0, and Valencia fired coach Mauricio Pellegrino after losing 5-2 to Real Sociedad.

Osasuna beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 on Friday.

Valladolid is at Sevilla on Monday.