Higuain seals Real win, but fans not fooled

Real Madrid had Gonzalo Higuain’s 49th minute winner to thank for a 1-0 win over Racing Santander on Saturday but the Spanish giants’ seventh successive league win did little to appease the woes of their fans.

Argentine Higuain netted the decisive goal shortly after the restart and Real were made to sweat for the remainder as they awaited the final whistle at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The reigning champions held on to close to within nine points of runaway leaders Barcelona, but another 1-0 win – an emerging habit under new coach Juande Ramos – could not stop the jeers, or fans heading for the exits early.

The grumbling is likely to grow louder in Madrid if a 10th successive league win for Barcelona, who host Sporting Gijon on Sunday, restores their advantage over Real to 12 points.

Iker Casillas made history making his 454th appearance to equal Paco Buya’s club record in the Real goal and he had little to do as Real controlled proceedings without making the breakthrough.

It was a heated match and tempers flared close to half-time when Racing striker Jonathan Perreira was fouled three times and the referee failed to take any action against Real.

Pepe cynically pushed Perreira to the floor before Gabriel Heinze and Fabio Cannavaro hacked the grounded striker.

The referee waved play on and livid Racing players encircled Heinze while words were also exchanged as both sets of players trudged off at half-time.

Racing then conceded four minutes into the second half with Higuain cutting inside before finishing with aplomb.

The Argentine should have scored again shortly afterwards but custodian Antonio Martinez somehow saved the shot with an oustretched foot.

Real’s new French signing Julien Faubert, recruited on loan from West Ham, made his debut just after the hour mark coming on for Arjen Robben who seemed less than happy about the decision.

Racing went close to equalising and Cannavaro had to clear off the goal line to prevent an own goal from Pepe.

Nicola Zigic headed over a great chance for Racing and angry Real fans flocked out of the turnstiles with several minutes remaining.

The Bernabeu was supposed to be the venue for Spain’s friendly with England this coming Wednesday but the game was switched after the English FA refused to play the match in Madrid, following the racist insults that the home crowd aimed at several England players during a friendly in 2004.

The match will now take place in Seville and the Sanchez Pizjuan comes under the spotlight later on Saturday when Sevilla host Real Betis in the Seville derby.

Sevilla, sitting third, have had the edge in recent years and are looking to pile more misery on a Betis side that have won once in their last nine matches.

The game is traditionally a high-octane affair and Betis coach Paco Chaparro called on the referee to be strong and not be fooled by diving.

“I don’t want this to be misinterpreted but I am worried by the simulation,” said Chaparro. “I don’t like players that continuosly dive. I want a derby that’s clean, strong and hard-fought.”