Gonzalo Higuain scored two goals Saturday to give Real Madrid a much-needed 2-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish league, easing the pressure on coach Manuel Pelegrini.
The Argentina forward scored both goals in the second half after Madrid defender Raul Albiol had been sent off in the 27th minute.
It was an improved performance by Madrid after Tuesday's humiliating 4-0 loss to third-division club Alcorcon in the first leg of the fourth round of the Copa del Rey, a result that brought peculation that Pellegrini was about to be fired.
Higuain put Madrid ahead 1-0 in the 53rd minute, chesting down Marcelo's pass from the left and taking his time before shooting. He scored his second three minutes later, running on to Karim Benzema's pass and shooting low past goalkeeper Oscar Ustari.
iguain nearly managed a hat trick when a counter-attack put him clear again and his shot hit the left-hand post.
Madrid now has 22 points, the same as Barcelona, which plays at Osasuna later Saturday. Also, Xerez plays Sevilla and Athletic Bilbao plays Atletico Madrid.
Madrid's preparations for the game were overshadowed by speculation over the future of Pellegrini following a run which also included losses to AC Milan and Sevilla.
Against Getafe, midfielder Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez was left out of the line-up after a reported altercation he had with the Chilean coach during the Alcorcon game. Xabi Alonso and Lassana Diarra played in central midfield.
With Cristiano Ronaldo recovering from injury and Raul Gonzalez on the bench, Higuain and Benzema led the attack and Kaka was in support.
In the ninth minute, Diarra's long pass found Higuain with only the goalkeeper to beat but the Argentina striker was ruled offside. Getafe responded when Manuel del Moral had a clean shot which rebounded off the defense and into Iker Casillas' hands.
Benzema cut in from the left in the 15th and passed to Marcelo at the back of the area, but the Brazilian blasted his shot over.
In the 27th, referee Mateu Lahoz sent Albiol off for pulling Roberto Soldado down on the edge of the area. Despite the numerical advantage, Getafe's right flank looked vulnerable and Madrid started exploiting it.
Madrid came close in the 35th when the Benzema did well to control Kaka's pass from the left with his chest, although his shot from five meters (yards) went straight at Ustari.
Benzema, an increasing threat, shot wide moments later after finding some space in the area.
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