City stars have faith in Hart

MANCHESTER City’s players are all behind struggling Joe Hart, according to Pablo Zabaleta.

The England goalkeeper hit the headlines for the wrong reason with high–profile mistakes in City’s 3–1 Champions League defeat by Bayern Munich.

It is not the first time Hart’s form has been questioned over the last couple of seasons, and he might have done better for Everton’s goal in City’s 3–1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku’s shot was well struck and from close range, but Hart got a good hand to it only for the ball to bounce into the net.

Full–back Zabaleta revealed Hart was unhappy with the goal, but expects him to rediscover his best form: “Sometimes it happens in football, but that’s why team–mates need to support all the players. He knows we’re all behind him.

“Of course he’s upset. It’s really hard for any player when you know you're not doing well.

“He has a personality so he needs to show that he’s coming back to his best. And I’m sure he will do because he’s a great goalkeeper.

“We’ve seen him for a long time doing very well so that’s why it’s strange to see him like this.”

The home crowd were particularly vocal in support of their number one, who joined City from Shrewsbury in 2006.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini admitted he thought hard about picking Romanian Costel Pantilimon ahead of Hart before deciding to stick with the England keeper.

Zabaleta does not expect the competition to adversely affect Hart, saying: “Costel is another great goalkeeper and he is putting pressure on him, and that is great.

“I think for everyone, we know we’ve got two good players in every position and we need to feel the competition. That is normal.”