MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 18:51:44| >> :60:322:322:
[monks data]
Manchester City logo
Premier League
Oct 5, 2013 at 12.45pm UK
 
Everton logo

3-1

Negredo (16'), Aguero (44'), Howard (68' og.)
FT(HT: 2-1)
Lukaku (15')

Pablo Zabaleta: 'Joe Hart still the best'

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta believes under-fire Joe Hart is "still the best" despite question marks over the England number one's recent displays.

Manchester City's Pablo Zabaleta has suggested that his under-fire teammate Joe Hart is still among the best goalkeepers in the world because he makes him "feel safe".

Hart's performances have been questioned of late, including after his side's 3-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to confirm whether he will start between the posts in the clash with Everton on Saturday.

However, England boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Hart remains his first choice, and the 26-year-old is still number one in Zabaleta's eyes too, with City's vice-captain insisting that almost every player suffers a dip in form.

"He's still the best. Right now is not his best moment but this happens," Zabaleta told BBC Sport.

"Sometimes Joe Hart, like any player, can make a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. It is impossible to be at the top level for 60 games a season over many years. Maybe sometimes [Lionel] Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo do it.

"But I've known Joe Hart for five years and have seen him playing at his best form and know that he is the best. The feeling for me and my team-mates is that, looking at him in the goal, I feel safe."

Costel Pantilimon is on standby if Hart, who has started 120 consecutive Premier League games for City since returning from his breakthrough loan spell at Birmingham City in 2010, is dropped this weekend.

ID:109134: cacheID:109134:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2898:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Joe Hart of Manchester City shows his dissapointment during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Manchester City and FC Bayern Munchen at Etihad Stadium on October 2, 2013
Read Next:
Pellegrini: 'Hart has our trust'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!