Real Madrid's Higuain Again a Match Winner for Manuel Pellegrini

For 62 minutes, Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain was a peripheral figure in the Madrid Derby.

His team was up 2 -0 after two great goals: a long distance strike from Kaka and a neat finish from an acute angle by Marcelo. But Higuain did not seem satisfied.

His teammates were not getting him involved, and when they did, his touch seemed off.

A few times throughout the match, Pipita tried to make one of his trademark diagonal runs, but was ignored by Kaka and strike partner Karim Benzem .

Rather than becoming complacent as some of his teammates did, Higuain persevered despite lacking service.

Just moments before it looked like Higuain would be pulled off the pitch in favor of club legend Raul, his industry and endeavor brought about the goal that ultimately made the difference.

He dispossessed Luis Pernea on the edge of the area before pushing past the Colombian, and firing past Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo .

It was Higuain’s fifth goal of the season in just six starts in all competitions (10 appearances overall). Almost immediately after scoring, Higuain was withdrawn.

He has yet to play the full 90 minutes in a game under coach Manuel Pellegrini .

In contrast, Karim Benzema , who was signed as one of Real Madrid’s Galacticos , has just four goals in 12 starts (including an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Alorcon ).

Raul has played in 14 games, including nine starts, and also hit four goals.

Obviously I do not blame Raul for Sergio Ramos’s red card, or the loss of concentration by the rest of Madrid’s backline that allowed Atletico to pull with in a goal, and cause a nervy final 10 minutes.

There is however blame on the part of Pellegrini for hurting the self-belief of his players.

Strikers are in general streaky and thrive on confidence. How is Higuain expected to get into a scoring groove if he knows he only has about 70 minutes before being withdrawn, regardless of how well he is playing?

One has to wonder if Higuain will ever have to stop looking over his shoulder with Pellegrini .

After numerous match-winning performances over his career with the club, he earned that right. Here is a sample of Higuain’s heroics for Madrid during his career at the club.

Feb. 24, 2007
Just over a month after joining the club, Higuain and Madrid were involved in a heated title race with Barcelona and Sevilla .

It was the first Madrid Derby for Pipita , and his side were trailing by a goal after the hour mark, and had been reduced to 10 men. Higuain snatched the draw for his team with a clinical finish from the top of the box.

The point proved crucial as Real Madrid and Barcelona finished even on points, but won the title based on head -to- head record.

May 12, 2007

With the score tied at three and just two minutes to go, Higuain won the ball back for Madrid before exchanging passes with Jose Antonio Reyes. He slotted the ball home to propel Madrid into first place in La Liga .

They would go to win the title by the slightest of margins.

May 4, 2008

Needing three points to clinch their second straight La Liga crown, Los Merengues find themselves down by a goal when Higuain entered the pitch as a substitute.

Three minutes from time, he picked out Arjen Robben with a free kick to equalize, before beating Ricardo himself following a break away.

Higuain’s goal clinched the three points and the La Liga crown for Madrid. Crazed celebrations in the Spanish capital ensued.

October 18, 2008

Just seconds after Simao had equalized for Atletico in the Madrid derby, Royston Drenthe won a penalty for Real deep into stoppage.

Higuain took the responsibility for his club and lashed the spot kick past Leo Franco.

October 26, 2008

After goals from Sneijder and Higuain gave Madrid a comfortable two -goal cushion against Athletic Bilbao, the Basques come roaring back to level matters just before half time.

Higuain then took over the match, striking the bar with a searing drive from 25 yards before running onto Gago’s through ball and beating the keeper coolly for his second goal, handing Madrid another narrow one goal triumph.

Nov. 8, 2008

In a seesaw affair against Malaga . Higuain scored all four goals as Madrid snuck past Malaga by a single goal, Pipita’s penalty rebound 12 minutes from times sealing the win.

Dec. 20, 2008

Facing difficult rivals Valencia just before the Christmas break, Higuain handed his team a quick lead with a left - footed shot into the top corner just three minutes in. Real were on the back foot for the remainder of the game, but they held onto the early advantage.

Feb. 7, 2009

After a scoreless first half, Higuain latched onto Raul’s flick on and skipped past two challengers before beating Tono at the far post. It proved to be the only goal in Madrid’s tight victory.

April 4, 2009

With Real Madrid toiling against Malaga , Higuain picked up the ball around midfield and slalomed his way towards goals, fending off Welington and beating Goitia with a well placed shot.

It was the only goal in another poor team effort, but brilliant display by the former River Plate man.

April 21, 2009

Pepe had just been sent off in a moment of madness for kicking Fransico Casquero , and it appeared that Los Blancos were coming apart at the seams.

Higuain came to the rescue in stoppage time by smashing a brilliant drive from outside the box into the corner for his second goal of the match, giving Madrid an exhilarating 3-2 win.

Oct. 31, 2009

Coming off an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to lowly Alorcon , Higuain saved 10 man Madrid, and possibly Manuel Pellegrini’s job, by scoring a second half brace against Real’s city rivals Getafe .

The first came after he brilliantly controlled a long pass from Marcelo, and the second was a calm finish just three minutes later.