Joe Hart insists Manchester City will not give up in title race
Champions trail Manchester United by 12 points
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Goalkeeper Joe Hart claims Manchester City would still be fighting to win the Barclays Premier League even if it was mathematically impossible.
City's hopes of retaining their title look slim with rivals Manchester United holding a 12-point lead at top of the table with just 11 games remaining.
The champions boosted confidence after a run of three league games without a win by seeing off third-placed Chelsea on Sunday and Hart is determined to keep the dream alive.
The England goalkeeper, who saved a penalty from Frank Lampard in the 2-0 victory, said: "Even if there is one game to go and we are 12 points behind, we'll still believe. We've got to.
"We've got to keep fighting, you never know. We have just got to keep going.
"It's going to be really hard, we've got a lot to do but we're going to have a damn good go at doing it."
Manager Roberto Mancini was scathing of his players after a dismal and damaging defeat at Southampton just over a fortnight ago but Hart claims their spirit was never in doubt.
The 25-year-old, himself subject of individual criticism from Mancini since the loss at St Mary's Stadium, said: "We have got it, no doubt about it.
"We all under-performed against Southampton - that's gone, you can't do anything now, you move on from that. You have got to look forward.
"You can speculate and talk about the past but we have just got to look forward and try to win. The only way is up for us."
City are not in action again until they travel to struggling Aston Villa next Monday, by which time they could be 15 points behind United.
Mancini hopes captain Vincent Kompany will be fit to return after five games out with a calf injury which has taken longer than expected to heal.
Mancini said: "The calf is a strange injury, and it is very dangerous. I hope we can recover him for Aston Villa."
Midfielder Gareth Barry will hope to prove his fitness from an ankle problem while Mancini has also revealed right-back Maicon faces a month on the sidelines after a knee operation.
The Brazilian missed the Christmas programme and the whole of January with a knee injury but had made three substitute appearances this month.
Mancini said: "He has had surgery on his knee, but in a month he can recover. The operation was to clean his meniscus."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments