Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain was quick to turn his attention
to this weekend's derby with Atletico after helping his side return
to the top of the table with victory over neighbours Getafe.
Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo both notched braces as Madrid
downed Getafe 4-2 to record their 10th successive win in La Liga
and leapfrog back over Barcelona at the summit.
Madrid have little time to celebrate the victory though as
they are back in action on Sunday when they play their second derby
in four days, with Atletico the visitors to the Bernabeu.
"Now what's important is to win on Sunday. We need to
continue along this line and play like we've been doing," said
Higuain, who was making his 100th league appearance for Madrid
tonight.
The Argentinian's brace also saw him equal his total of 22
league goals from last season which means he is now only three
behind Barca playmaker Lionel Messi at the top of the Primera
Division scoring charts.
"I'm always happy to score goals, and if these goals serve to
help the team, then so much the better," Higuain added.
Madrid had found life very difficult in their previous visits
to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, picking up just four points from a
possible 15, but they stunned Getafe with a breathtaking start
tonight.
All four of Madrid's goals were scored in the opening 37
minutes while Esteban Granero, Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo went close
to adding to the scoreline in that time.
Getafe managed to pull a goal back through Dani Parejo in the
38th minute and another in the 79th minute thanks to Pedro Leon,
but Madrid had already done enough to take the points.
Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini said: "We picked up a good
result at a ground that has not been good for us in the past and
this has allowed us to remain as leaders.
"After the break we lowered the intensity due to the derby
(against Atletico) and to avoid cards."
Pellegrini also criticised former Madrid man Parejo for
playing on after Iker Casillas picked up an ankle injury in the
lead-up to Getafe's first goal.
Casillas chased the ball outside his area after failing to
grab Jaime Gavilan's cross, and Parejo slid in to fairly rob the
Spain goalkeeper of possession.
The ball was picked up by Leon, who fed Parejo on the edge of
the area and he fired into an unguarded net.
Casillas was furious Getafe carried on after he was injured
in Parejo's challenge, and Pellegrini felt the 20-year-old Getafe
playmaker should not have played on.
"I don't think any Getafe player will be proud of this
action. I hope that my team won't do likewise in the same
situation," Pellegrini added in AS.
