My favourite game: Joe Hart

Though his stunning displays against Barcelona last March and Tottenham in August 2011 made Joe’s final choice a close run thing, his virtuoso performance against Borussia Dortmund during the 2012/13 campaign just about edged it.

In truth, he could have selected from many, many more, but this was a display that had Jurgen Klopp shaking his head in disbelief.

The game: City 1 Borussia Dortmund 1, October 2012

City were up against a Bundesliga powerhouse in Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund, but despite being outplayed for most of the game, Hart was having the game of his life. Having twice led away to Real Madrid in the opening group game that season – and held the lead until 87yh minute - City had every right to feel aggrieved at starting the second game against Dortmund pointless.

Dortmund were the group’s dark horses, but the swagger City had approached the task in Madrid made the Blues favourites to win this game - but the German champions proved that assumption to be wrong as they systematically tore the home defence to shreds – only to be denied time after time by Hart.

The England keeper made at least eight world class saves, leaving the Bundesliga men wondering how they hadn’t won by a country mile  – on another night Klopp’s men could have run up a cricket score. 

The City keeper was finally beaten on 62 minutes by Marco Reus, but he continued to keep City in the game and on 90 minutes, the Blues won a penalty that Mario Balotelli converted, earning a somewhat undeserved draw. Hart, however, had earned the right to not be on the losing side that evening

...My Favourite Game...

 

Hart thoughts: “I enjoyed Spurs away in 2010/11 and the Barcelona game was special, but the fact we lost the game at the Nou Camp comes into play, no matter how well I played. I’d go for Dortmund because we drew the game and the fact we came back to earn a draw was important at the time, too.

“It’s hard to pick one game out if I’m honest. The Spurs game was my first back at the club after being out on loan for a year at Birmingham so it was very important for me to start well – but Dortmund will always be memorable. From a team point of view, beating QPR to win the title will probably never be topped.”

Social response:

Have to say joe hart has been incredible. For me best keeper in the world

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) October 3, 2012

Quote: “We should say thank you to Joe because in my opinion, he saved the game for us.” Roberto Mancini

Media reaction: “Mario Balotelli’s last-gasp penalty salvaged a vital point for Manchester City at the end of an enthralling Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund. City’s 17-game unbeaten run at home in Europe looked to be over with the German side leading through a Marco Reus strike and only being denied more goals by a virtuoso performance from an inspired Joe Hart.” Chris Bevan, BBC Sport