Hart saves his best for City

The all-star circus that surrounds Manchester City and their quest for the Premier League title offers so many larger-than-life characters and off-field dramas that it can be tempting to miss arguably the best footballer currently plying his trade at Eastlands.

Joe Hart, the current number one England goalkeeper, has grown in stature this season as City have swapped an early-season promenade through the division for a mid-winter slog and alarming January dip.

His form has reached the point where, in the wake of John Terry’s removal from the England captaincy on Friday, there has been a significant groundswell for the undisputed national team number one to be named as his successor.

And while City have proved that they can function without outfield stars such as Yaya Toure, Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and even David Silva, it is hard to envisage a situation in which Hart could be lost and his team still retain their status as title favourites.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve surprised myself,” said Hart when asked of his dramatic improvement over the past 18 months. “I’m proud of what’s gone on so far.

“I personally get too lost in the main goal, which is winning the games and winning the league. That’s what we want to do, so at the moment that’s where my thoughts are.

“I feel great that I’m helping the team and it’s nice that people have confidence in me. I just want to repay that and keep playing well.

“We’re a great team but when it’s not quite happening that’s when I need to come in. At the start of the season anyone could have gone in goal for Man City. It didn’t require any ability to be in goal. Hopefully I’m repaying it now. It’s swings and roundabouts in this league.”

In the Arctic blizzard that swirled around the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening, Hart had little or nothing to do for the opening hour before speculative shots from Stephen Kelly, Danny Murphy and Damien Duff had to be dealt with despite the fact that Hart’s hands must have long since lost all feeling.

Little wonder that he is now mentioned as a credible alternative to Terry as national team captain, given the poor injury record of some rival candidates such as Steven Gerrard.

“I think there’s a long way to go,” said Hart, diplomatically when asked if he would consider the role. “I’ve got a really important season, games for Man City and hopefully a couple for England coming up. That’s all I’m concentrating on at the moment.

“I’m flattered to be linked with it but I think anyone who’s having a consistent run in the England side is being linked with it. There are a lot stronger candidates than myself.”

With Fulham clearly not relishing the conditions, or the task in general, City will have few easier Premier League outings this season than this.

Aguero, the Argentinian who actually wants to play for City and is unstoppable on his day, had a hand in all three goals, finding Adam Johnson, who was controversially adjudged to have been tripped by Chris Baird, for the opening goal which Aguero himself coverted from the penalty spot.

Aguero’s flick, from Aleksandar Kolarov’s cross, allowed Johnson to score at the far post via a wicked deflection off Baird and, with the outcome long since decided, Aguero’s run and pass set up Edin Dzeko for a simple finish for number three.

“I think he’s done great and he can do better,” said Hart of Aguero. “He knows he can do better. He takes his chances well and when he starts taking all his chances he’ll be winning the goalscoring charts by January. He’s helped us out in important games so that’s good.

“I definitely think he can get better, and I think he knows that.

“I’m not knocking Sergio, I think he’s awesome and one of the best players in the Premier League. But I do really think he’s got a lot more to offer and he’ll be awesome for Man City when that happens. He’s settled in and it’s just my personal opinion.”

With Balotelli currently serving a suspension for his much-publicised stamp on Tottenham’s Scott Parker, the Aguero-Dzeko pairing certainly looks as effective as any fielded by manager Roberto Mancini this season.

“Aguero is a top striker, like Edin, like Mario,” said Mancini.

“I’m not surprised because I know him. It’s always difficult to play the first year in the Premier League. I know he can improve and he can score more goals.”

For Fulham, there was little consolation from the game, other than the prospect of Russian forward Pavel Pogrebnyak being available for next weekend’s home game with Stoke after a delay to his work permit.

“He is in the country,” said Jol of the player signed from Stuttgart before the deadline. “Hopefully we will have the work permit late in the week, not too late to be involved next weekend. We hope Thursday, it could be Friday.”