Villarreal were brought crashing back to earth after a flying start to the season with a 1-0 defeat at struggling neighbours Levante, for whom Deyverson struck a deserved late winner.
The Yellow Submarine came into the match sitting atop the Primera Division standings for the first time in their history after picking up 16 points from a possible 18 in their first six matches.
However, their unbeaten start came to an end against a Levante side who were without a win previously and had been propping up the division.
Villarreal will stay top of the league, though, after Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 later on Sunday.
Villarreal's problems were partly self-inflicted, with full-back Bojan Jokic picking up two bookings in the opening 36 minutes to leave his side with a numerical disadvantage for almost an hour.
Levante were quick to seize the upper hand after Jokic's dismissal, and it needed three great saves from Villarreal goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to keep his side on level terms before the break, with Roger (twice) and Jefferson Lerma the men denied.
Villarreal regrouped at the break and managed to limit the threat posed by Levante in the second half to such an extent that it looked like they might escape Valencia with a point.
However, with seven minutes remaining Levante found the breakthrough they deserved thanks to a brilliant finish from summer signing Deyverson.
Nabil Ghilas sent over a cross from the left wing and Brazilian forward Deyverson got ahead of his marker to slam a first-time volley past Areola from near the penalty spot.