Real Madrid coach Pellegrini pleased with Valladolid reaction

MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini praised his side's reaction to their midweek European exit after watching them bounce back to the top of Spain's BBVA Primera Liga with a 4-1 thrashing of hapless Valladolid.

Gonzalo Higuain scored a hat-trick as Madrid achieved its eighth successive win in the BBVA League. With his side level on points with FC Barcelona, Pellegrini admitted that whoever kept their nerve would end up as Champions.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid are playing at the same level, so whoever makes the fewest mistakes will end up winning La Liga," he said on the Real Madrid website on Monday.

"All that matters now is that we carry on looking to win no matter where we play. We have won eight straight matches and are averaging three or more goals per match," he added.

Pellegrini also had words for Higuain, who had been singled out for criticism following the European failure.

"Higuain was quite upset on Wednesday, but he has a lot of personality. I am very happy for him. He immediately found his feet and scored goals, which he has been doing all season long," he said.

"I am very happy with the way we played. Every match is a final for us and today we needed to win to stay positive. We need to compete for the title" added the Madrid coach.