Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa has hailed the exploits of team-mate Gonzalo Higuain, who continued his prolific form during their derby win over Atletico Madrid. The Argentina forward netted Los Merengues' third goal in the 3-2 victory at the Bernabeu to take his tally to 23 in La Liga this season.

All of those goals have come in his last 19 league appearances, and 11 of which have been scored in the last seven. Higuain has already passed the 22-goal tally he notched last season, and he is now just three behind compatriot Lionel Messi at the top of the division's scoring chart.

What Higuain is doing is crazy. I hope he continues in this form and ends up winning the Pichichi.
Alvaro Arbeloa on Real Madrid team-mate Gonzalo Higuain

"What Higuain is doing is crazy, he has no limits," said Arbeloa. "He is improving every day and deserves everything that is coming his way. I hope he continues in this form and ends up winning the Pichichi (awarded to La Liga's leading marksman)."

Wonder goal
Arbeloa also managed to get on the scoresheet during the win over Atletico as Real returned to the summit, and his was a superb goal. Xabi Alonso spotted the full-back's run down the right and picked out his former Liverpool team-mate with a fantastic 40-yard pass over the Atletico defence. Arbeloa still had work to do, but he finished in style, pulling the pass down on his chest, turning Alvaro Dominguez inside out, and coolly slotting past David De Gea to put Real 2-1 up after they had been trailing at half-time.

Arbeloa, who also scored against Xerez in February but has netted only a handful of goals in his career, said on his club's official website: "I'm still asking myself how I scored that goal.

"I think Xabi Alonso deserves all the credit, he gave me a great pass and then I had some luck. It was an important goal, we are all happy, but me especially because I don't score too many goals."

Real next face 16th-placed Racing Santander at El Sardinero, before then playing Barcelona at the Bernabeu in a match that could go a long way to deciding the title.

Arbeloa added: "Next weekend we have a difficult away match. They are at the bottom and they need the three points. We have to go and win and then we face Barcelona."