Pellegrini gives Hart the chop

England keeper Joe Hart has been dropped by Manchester City for today’s home Premier League game against Norwich City.

Hart, 26, has been under pressure after a string of high-profile mistakes, the most recent of which came last Sunday when his gaffe gifted Chelsea striker Fernando Torres a last-gasp winner.

That error, combined with Costel Pantilimon’s performance in City’s midweek Capital One Cup win over Newcastle on Wednesday, has persuaded manager Manuel Pellegrini to opt for the Romanian today.