A depleted Real Madrid side failed to produce a galvanising performance at Levante following their derby defeat to Atletico Madrid but still earned a 3-1 win.
A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave the visitors a 32nd-minute lead, and moments later an own goal by Levante goalkeeper Diego Marino doubled Madrid's advantage.
Although Deyverson quickly pulled one back before the break, substitute Isco was on hand to wrap up the points for Real in injury time.
Before the game, Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane faced the daunting task of lifting the team after the galling loss to Atletico on Saturday and playing down Ronaldo's post-match interview in which he claimed "we might be top of the league if everyone else was at my level."
The coach was given no respite when it came to picking a team for the trip to Valencia, missing six of his regular starters with Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal suspended and Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema injured.
The French striker's hamstring problem gave 18-year-old Borja Mayoral his first ever Madrid start just days after he had impressed as a substitute against Atletico, and he made his mark despite being denied a debut goal.
Levante coach Rubi faced an even harder battle to raise his team's spirits following a chastening 3-0 defeat to Villarreal that left them rooted to the bottom of the Primera Division.
Yet his side made a bright start and could have taken an early lead when Giuseppe Rossi turned in the box and fired low towards the bottom corner, only for former Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas to save.
In the early stages Madrid looked as though they were still reeling from the derby defeat, but they eventually grew into the game.
Ronaldo was their biggest threat although he lacked sharpness in front of goal, twice missing the target and once shooting straight at Marino.
But he was able to open the scoring from the penalty spot when Valencia loanee Lucas Orban tripped Lucas Vazquez on the corner of the area.
The Portuguese had missed his previous spot-kick at Malaga but slammed the ball low into the bottom corner for his 23rd goal of the season.
His temporary strike partner Mayoral inspired Madrid's next goal, letting fly from the edge of the area and hitting the post, the ball then bouncing off Marino and over the line.
But Levante quickly got back into the game. Deyverson rose to head down a long punt upfield and Rossi held the ball up superbly, fighting off Casemiro and Raphael Varane before laying it off to the unmarked Brazilian, who tapped into the corner.
The second half witnessed little football to savour as Levante tried to scrap their way to an equaliser, their best moment coming when Ruben Garcia's effort was repelled by Navas.
At the other end Ronaldo was denied a goal from open play, hitting the near post from a difficult angle.
But he creatrf the third goal, racing down the right wing and cutting the ball back for Isco to hook first time into the bottom corner.