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A brace from Gonzalo Higuain gave 10-man Real Madrid a 2-0 Liga win over Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It was an important victory for Los Merengues boss Manuel Pellegrini, under pressure after a shocking 4-0 Copa del Rey loss at third-tier Alcorcon made it three defeats in five matches.

Despite being a man light for much of the game after Raul Albiol's harsh 27th-minute dismissal for a last-man foul on Roberto Soldado, Madrid were always in control and cruised ahead with two strikes in three second-half minutes from the Argentina hit-man (pictured).

After a sluggish start by both sides, defender Albiol was given his marching orders when former Real Madrid striker Soldado went down after the pair tangled on the edge of the hosts' box.

It seemed tough on Albiol, as Soldado appeared to pull his shirt first, but it made little difference as Real dominated the play.

The following free-kick saw Pedro Leon fire wide and minutes later Madrid's impressive Karim Benzema was denied an opener by Oscar Ustari's brave block.

Just before half-time Soldado thought he had scored with a header from Mane's cross, but Iker Casillas made an excellent stop to keep it goalless.

The second half was all about Los Merengues superb counter-attacking play.

Lassana Diarra forced another good save from Ustari after a give-and-go with Marcelo, while Xabi Alonso's corner was headed low by Benzema but bounced just wide.

Real were soon ahead when Marcelo's 53rd-minute cross was expertly controlled by the chest of Higuain, who took the ball past Cata Diaz and finished to the left for his fourth Liga goal in seven matches.

The former River Plate man made it five for the season two minutes later, putting the ball under Ustari after Benzema's powerful run and ball across goal sent him through.

The 21-year-old missed out on a superb hat-trick when he charged down the right to get clear of the visiting defence, but his low finish across compatriot Ustari rebounded off the far post and clear to safety.

Getafe were limited to occasional half chances, with substitute Jaime Gavilan making Casillas save at his near post, while Madrid looked like scoring every time they broke and held on comfortably for a first win in three matches.

Reda Maher / Eurosport