Joe Hart dropped by Manchester City in favour of Pantilimon - who will steal No1 spot if he impresses

28 Oct 2013 22:30

The England keeper's erratic form has opened the door for Costel Pantilimon, who has been told he could become Man City's number one keeper

Blundering Joe: Manuel Pellegrini could give Pantilimon the No1 spot

Shaun Botterill

Joe Hart is set to be axed following his latest costly blunder in an error-strewn season for Manchester City.
Hart was at fault for Chelsea’s last-minute winner in City’s 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and will lose his place following the gaffe.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini warned Hart he considered dropping him four weeks ago after the England No.1’s blunders in a 3-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich.
Hart kept his place on that occasion but Pellegrini – who refused to back Hart after the goalkeeper’s latest high-profile mistake – is set to take action this time.
Costel Pantilimon will play in goal for City in tomorrow’s Capital One Cup fourth round tie at Newcastle, with Hart demoted to the bench for only the second time this season.
Although Pantilimon was always going to play tomorrow, given Pellegrini’s policy of using him in the competition, he has been told he will keep his place at home to Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday if he impresses at St James’ Park.
It is understood Hart was reluctant to take the blame for the error that gifted Fernando Torres a 90th-minute winner and condemned City to a third league defeat of the season.

Unimpressed: Pellegrini isn't enamoured with Joe Hart

Clive Rose

 Hart maintained he shouted for the ball before the mix-up with team-mate Matija Nastasic that allowed Torres to claim the dramatic late winner.
The latest clanger was Hart’s NINTH of 2013 and Pellegrini has finally lose patience with the 26-year-old after standing by him in what the City boss called his “worst moment”.
This season Hart has committed errors that have led to goals against Cardiff, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, as well as a howler in England’s 3-2 win over Scotland.
Hart’s problems at club level are a deep concern for England manager Roy Hodgson.
The opportunity to give one of Hart’s international under-studies experience in the November friendly with Chile may prove tricky if Hodgson decides his No 1 needs the match practice ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

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