Joe Hart: 'FA Cup win helped us'

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has admitted that winning the FA Cup last season has helped their title challenge in the current campaign.

The England international also stated that without their cup success, they would not have been able to lure the calibre of player which they currently boast.

"Having that trophy also helped us bring in some excellent players this year, and that is what we are trying to do. Whatever trophy we are in, we are hunting for it," Hart told Manchester Evening News.

"It was huge for the club, huge for the fans and the players. It means an awful lot that we won it. There was a lot made about it, with all the local taunts about 35 years and so on, and they have all gone now."

City begin their defence of the FA Cup against rivals Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.