Joe Hart: Manchester City want to give Manuel Pellegrini the perfect send-off

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart and his team-mates are determined to give manager Manuel Pellegrini the best possible send-off with a trophy-laden end to his reign.

The club announced on Monday that the 62-year-old Chilean will make way for Pep Guardiola in the summer regardless of what happens during the the remaining months of a campaign which could yet end with an unprecedented quadruple.

Sergio Aguero’s 16th-minute strike — his 17th goal of the season and eighth in as many games — ultimately secured a 1-0 win for City over Sunderland, but Hart’s 44th-minute stop from Jermain Defoe, which was followed by further saves from Billy Jones and Wahbi Khazri, ensured the points went back across the Pennines.