• Premier League

Pellegrini admits to Hart problems

ESPN staff
October 6, 2013
Pellegrini: Referee not to blame

Manuel Pellegrini has revealed he thought long and hard about dropping Joe Hart for Manchester City's Premier League game against Everton and said it was "a difficult decision" to select the England goalkeeper.

Hart has endured a tough start to the season and was at fault for Bayern Munich's opening goal in City's 3-1 defeat on Wednesday, when he failed to stop a Franck Ribery shot, while some also blamed him for the European champions' third goal, scored by Arjen Robben.

And he has made several other errors already, resulting in goals for Scotland's James Morrison against England and Cardiff's Fraizer Campbell and Aston Villa's Andreas Weimann against City.

Pellegrini said on Friday that he trusts Hart's deputy, Costel Pantilimon, who is yet to make his Premier League debut, but stuck with the 26-year-old for the 3-1 win against Everton.

And afterwards Pellegrini said: "It wasn't a simple decision, it was a very difficult decision, but I think Joe needs the trust of all of us - of me, the other players and the fans.

"Of course he feels he didn't do well the last game, he feels that he was guilty, but it was more important that he reflected how strong his character is."

Some felt Hart was partly culpable for Everton's goal at the Etihad Stadium, which was scored by Romelu Lukaku, but Pellegrini said: "Always the responsibility for the goal is with the whole team."

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