Joe Hart sparkles for Man City at White Hart Lane
Joe Hart produced a man of the match performance to help keep a lively Tottenham Hotspur side at bay as the new Premier League season kicked off at White Hart Lane.
A series of remarkable stops in a busy first half for the Manchester City goalkeeper was followed by an equally as assured second period.
Hart’s agility, coupled with a robust defensive display from Roberto Mancini’s side, ensures City head back to Eastlands with a well earned point.
With Ireland international Shay Given relegated to the bench, Hart suggested his team-mate may now seek an exit from the City of Manchester Stadium in order to secure regular first team football.
“It’s got nothing to do with me,” Hart, 23, said after the match. “Shay’s his own man. He’s been a great goalkeeper for years and years so he’s free to do as he pleases. I’m sure he wants to play football though.”
“It was just an enjoyable day. I love playing football and its great to be involved.”
City boss Mancini added that having two stoppers of such quality made for a difficult decision over who should be his No1.
“I’m happy because I have two big goalkeepers,” said Mancini. “But I must make a decision and one must go on the bench.”
The Italian manager added: “I think that we need to time because we haven’t played together yet. This is difficult for us but I think that next week we can improve.”
And Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was quick to praise Hart’s display.
“He was in great form,” said Redknapp. “They’ve got two great keepers there and the young kid had a great day today. We made so many chances in the first half, we just couldn’t beat him.”
