Hart: City deserved no more than West Ham draw

West Ham United were fast off the blocks as striker Enner Valencia finished off a move by Senegalese midfielder Cheick Kouyate within the first minute of the game, precisely after 53 seconds.

“There is also an opinion that it is hard for Manuel Pellegrini and his players because the speculation is that Pep Guardiola will take over as their manager in the summer”, he added. ‘There are a lot of rumours about a player coming or leaving the team, but we think we will continue with the current squad’.

Pellegrini’s team brushed aside a Crystal Palace side enjoying one of their best top-flight seasons last weekend with a comfortable 4-0 home win. But Bilic believes the former Real Madrid and Malaga manager is dealing admirably with speculation surrounding his future.

But the highlight of the half came courtesy of Joe Hart, who extended his body and his fingers to the farthest corner of his goalmouth to keep out a free kick from the Hammers’ man of the moment, Dimitri Payet.

Aguero has missed 11 matches this season in addition to the 27 which City have been without him in the previous two campaigns.

The Chilean feels the gap between the top sides and the rest of the league has closed significantly and now every league is a big test. James Tomkins is an injury doubt for West Ham after suffering a knock in the 2-1 defeat against Newcastle and faces a late fitness test. Joey O’Brien is back in contention after recovering from a long-term injury, but Andy Carroll (hamstring), Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini (both thigh) remain sidelined. If City win the title it’ll probably be because the Argentine is able to stay fit and start finishing the chances that his teammates have missed this season. Coach Pellegrini reacts on a good point and on the fact that the Citizens are second two points behind Leicester, pending Arsenal’s result against Chelsea.

City now turns its attention to cup business, with the second leg of the club’s League Cup semifinal tie against Everton on Wednesday preceding its FA Cup fourth-round game at Aston Villa next Saturday.

“That could have been avoided but you always want to play, especially for your country. It’s important to try to demonstrate every game why you are involved in the title [race]”.

“If you have good players and a good performance as a team I think everyone can beat another team”. We wanted the three points and we didn’t get them, but we will take the positives.