Joe Hart saves Messi penalty to keep City's Euro hopes alive

Tuesday 24 Feb 2015
Joe Hart saves Lionel Messi's penalty

Joe Hart says Manchester City will travel to Barcelona full of hope, despite tasting defeat in their Champions League tie after a Luis Suarez brace. 

The 27-year-old stopper was beaten twice by the striker when Uruguay defeated England 2-1 at last summer's World Cup. And it was the same scoreline at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday after two first half strikes from the ex-Liverpool man clinched a round of 16 first-leg win. 

The Premier League champions improved after the break and gave themselves hope as Sergio Aguero pulled one back, but they had to hold on after Gael Clichy's dismissal forced them down to ten men. 

Luis Suarez scores for Barcelona at Manchester Cityter

Luis Suarez opens the scoring against Man City

Hart then spared his side an even tougher task in the return at the Nou Camp saving a Lionel Messi penalty late on. 

"I hope our second half efforts are worth something," Hart told ITV following the full time whistle. "We go there with a great group of fans, belief and we'll have a right go." 

He continued: "We pressed until the first goal, then we panicked - I think that was blatantly obvious. 

"We got ourselves back together, we regrouped and we were good for our goal, and perhaps for a result tonight." 

And on Suarez, he added: "He's a fantastic player. What did they sign him for, £80m? What do you expect? He took his goals well." 

Fellow Three Lions international James Milner also played the full ninety minutes for City. 

Jesse Lingard celebrates with Tom Ince

Jesse Lingard celebrates with Tom Ince

In the Championship, Jesse Lingard's first goal for Derby County since his loan move from Manchester United sealed a 2-0 win for the Rams over Charlton Athletic. 

Tom Ince and Will Hughes, two other England Under-21 internationals, were also involved as Steve McClaren's side maintained their position at the top of the table. 

Hot on their heels are Middlesbrough after their 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers. Two other members of Gareth Southgate's Young Lions squad, Ben Gibson and Patrick Bamford, played for the Teessiders. 

Norwich City also boasted an U21s man in their side - winger Nathan Redmond - who helped the Canaries continue their surge towards the play off spots with a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers. 

Elsewhere, England U18s midfielder Lewis Cook was unable to stop Leeds United from slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Brighton.

By FA Staff