Higuain boosts Real as Barca held

Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain scored twice for 10-man Real Madrid in a 2-0 home win over Getafe yesterday that eased the pressure on coach Manuel Pellegrini.

Second-placed Real have 22 points from nine games and are one point behind La Liga leaders Barcelona after the champions were held to a 1-1 draw at Osasuna.

Pellegrini's position was called into question after Real Madrid's embarrassing 4-0 defeat by third-tier Alcorcon in the King's Cup in midweek made it three games without a win.

Real were quickly on the back foot against local rivals Getafe at the Bernabeu when defender Raul Albiol was harshly sent off after 28 minutes.

The home team rallied though and Higuain netted twice in four minutes just after half-time.

Barca struggled at the Reyno de Navarra until in-form Mali midfielder Seydou Keita popped up in the area to break the deadlock 18 minutes from time.

They looked to be cruising to victory but Osasuna scrambled a point when Barca defender Gerard Pique turned the ball into his own net in the last move of the game.

The former Manchester United defender was trying to clear after Marquez's error had let in Camunas, but could only steer the ball into his own net to leave the Catalans frustrated and Osasuna delighted at winning a point they had hardly expected.

Sevilla are third with 19 points after strikers Alvaro Negredo and Luis Fabiano saw off struggling neighbours Xerez 2-0.