MX23RW : Friday, November 29 09:45:07| >> :60:2800:2800:
[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
FT
Dolphins
17-30
Packers
8pm
Raiders
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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!