Kepa hits three as Sevilla crush Levante 4-0

UEFA Cup holders Sevilla continued their impressive start to the season with a 4-0 drubbing of Levante on Tuesday that put them top of the Primera Liga after the opening round of matches.

The UEFA Cup holders, who won the European Super Cup by beating Barcelona 3-0 on Friday, romped to another easy victory thanks to an opener from Frederic Kanoute and a hat-trick from fellow striker Kepa.

Mali international Kanoute began the rout when he fired home at the far post in the eighth minute and Kepa made it 2-0 before the half hour was up when he netted a fine cross from wing back Daniel Alves.

The former Sevilla youth team player added a third early in the second half after another fine cross from Alves and completed his hat-trick two minutes from time when he followed up after a Kanoute shot.

The defeat was a rude awakening for Levante, who won promotion to the top flight after finishing third in the second division last season.

Six other teams also won their opening matches, including champions Barcelona who snatched a dramatic 3-2 win at Celta Vigo on Monday thanks to a last-gasp strike from new signing Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Barca's arch-rivals Real Madrid made a disappointing start to the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Villarreal on Sunday.