Hart rues second-half display as City crumble

The red side of Manchester were enjoying a party last night after City’s 3-1 loss at White Hart Lane put the Red Devils in sight of their 20th title.

Samir Nasri had put the away side ahead early in the first half, but despite controlling most of the play, City then crumbled.

Clint Dempsey, Jermain Defoe, and Gareth Bale scored within the space of seven minutes to floor the champions. England goalkeeper Hart pulled no punches in his post-match assessment, telling City TV: “We took the lead and didn’t kick on from there. Second half we just kind of existed and paid the price. I just thought we took our foot off the gas and you can’t do that.

“Spurs have got a lot to play for and congratulations to them but I’m not really interested in them.”

It was suggested that the exertions of a busy schedule could have contributed to their downfall at the weekend.

Wednesday’s narrow win over Wigan gave Roberto Mancini’s squad just three days to prepare for the game in north London, but Hart denied that fatigue was an issue, pointing out that the team’s early exit from the Champions League should have kept the team fresh.

“No, we can’t complain of that,” he said. “We messed up in Europe and we have had plenty of weeks’ rest so I don’t think that is what it is down to. It was just a poor second half.”

Twelve months ago City hoped they had ended United’s domination of Manchester, but the Blues’ only hope of silverware remains in the FA Cup, where they take on Wigan in next month’s final at Wembley.

The way City capitulated on Sunday will be of concern to Roberto Mancini, but Hart is sure that the team will recover for the final few games of the season.

“We will bounce back easily. It is what we do,” Hart said. “We have proved that many a time. We have a big game coming up [at home to West Ham on Saturday].

“It is always good to win at home and we have got the FA Cup final that all the boys are trying to win their spots for.”