Saturday Round-up: 31.10.09

Gonzalo Higuain struck twice in three minutes to secure Real Madrid a vital win against Getafe. What made the victory even sweeter is that they did so with 10 men from the 27th minute, when Raúl Albiol was shown a dubious straight red for a tug on Roberto Soldado. Both of Higuaíns goals were clinically dispatched, and the Argentine surely has to be a regular starter with the pace and constant danger he offers. Real Madrid are a whole together more dangerous package with him in the team, and Pelligrini owes him one. Unfortunately for manager Míchel, his Getafe side didnt turn up, and what few chances came their way were repelled by the secure hands of Casillas.

Things got even better for the Madrid faithful when news filtered through that Barcelona had dropped two points at Osasuna. Barca never looked at their fluent best, and were frustrated by an organised Osasuna team until the 71st minute when in-form Seydou Keita slotted in from close range. They had chances to make the game safe shortly after, but were caught cold in the 91st minute when Gerard Pique, usually so calm under pressure, inexplicably turned a cross past Victor Valdes when it seemed easier to put it out for a corner. Pep Guardiola wont be happy with letting two points slip from their grasp, nor will he be happy with Barcas new-found inconsistency.

The first ever derby between Xerez and Sevilla in the top flight ended in a 0-2 win for the Sevillanos. Xerez showed true grit and determination for the whole 90 minutes in a charged Chapín atmosphere, but were undone by two moments of sheer class. The first came from Alvaro Negredo, who took down a long ball with an awesome first touch, with the second he flicked the ball over the defenders head and with a third, headed the ball over onrushing keeper Renan and into the net. Xerez had chances to level, with Giodas header from a Viqueira free kick, superbly blocked at point-blank range by young keeper Javi Varas, who is adding himself to the long list of outstanding spanish goalkeepers. But Luis Fabiano secured the three points one minute from time with a typically well-taken goal from a Navas through ball.

In the final match on saturday, Bilbao wrecked Quique Sanchez Flores´ first match in charge of Atletico Madrid with a 1-0 win. The only goal came from a Javi Martinez header after 19 minutes, but the rest of the match was dictated by Atletico, with Forlán and Agüero looking menacing throughout. The 'Mattressmen' hit the woodwork three times, with two raking strikes from their deadly duo but it wasnt to be, and Sanchez Flores will now look to next weeks derby against Real Madrid as a chance to secure his first win.

Real Madrid 2 - 0 Getafe
Osasuna 1 - 1 Barcelona
Xerez 0 - 2 Sevilla
Athletic Bilbao 1 - 0 Atletico Madrid