Joe Hart has won the Golden Gloves award on more occasions than any other goalkeeper in Premier League history.
The England international lifted the trophy for the fourth time at the end of last season and he’s leading the way once again in 2015/16.
Currently tied with Kasper Schmeichel at the top of the rankings with 15 shut-outs, Hart must negotiate games against Southampton, Arsenal and Swansea to clinch the award for a record fifth time.
Although former City teammates Hart and Schmeichel are currently tied, Joe would win the award if it were decided today by virtue of the fact that he has a higher games-to-clean-sheets percentage ratio.
Hart’s 15 goalless games have been achieved in three fewer matches than his Leicester counterpart, giving him a 46.9% rate against Schmeichel’s 42.9%.
In fact, that’s the highest ratio in the league.
It’s not just Schmeichel in the running for the title, however, there are three other goalkeepers who are still able to overhaul the City and Leicester stoppers in the race for this prestigious award.
One back, with 14 clean sheets apiece are Manchester United and Arsenal stoppers David De Gea and Petr Cech, while Hugo Lloris of Spurs has 13.
Joe won the Golden Gloves award for the first time in his first season as first-choice goalkeeper at the Etihad Stadium.
Starting that season as he meant to go on, he made one of his best performances of his City career so far in the goalless draw at White Hart Lane.
That was one of 18 clean sheets he kept that campaign as he helped Roberto Mancini’s men to UEFA Champions League qualification for the very first time.
He retained the award the following season with 17 shutouts as City ended 44 years of hurt by lifting the league title – Hart’s euphoric celebrations after Sergio Aguero’s last gasp winner undoubtedly one of the enduring images of an unforgettable day.
Before the 2012/13 season, Pepe Reina was the only man who could boast three consecutive Golden Gloves award but Joe joined him in this exclusive two-man club thanks to his 18th goalless game at Reading on the penultimate day.
Petr Cech and Wojciech Szczensny shared the award to break Joe’s winning streak in 2013/14 but he only had to wait a year to get his hands back on the trophy – winning it for a record fourth time last May thanks to the 3-0 win over Southampton on the final day of the season.
The England number one, making his 300th appearance for the Club, was called into action on a number of occasions against the Saints but was solid as ever as City ended the season on a high.
In the form of his life, as showcased against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, can Joe make it a famous five to help City to UEFA Champions League qualification over the final 270 minutes of this Premier League season?
