Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is "still the
best" and makes his team-mates "feel safe",
according to defender Pablo Zabaleta.
Hart, 26, was widely criticised for his display in
Wednesday's 3-1 Champions League home defeat by
Bayern Munich.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini would not confirm Hart will
start Saturday's Premier League match against Everton.
But Zabaleta told Football Focus: "He's still the best.
Right now is not his best moment but this happens."
Hart was at fault for two of Bayern's three goals, failing
to stop routine shots from Franck Ribery and Arjen
Robben.
Argentina defender Zabaleta said: "Sometimes Joe Hart -
like any player - can make a mistake. Everyone makes
mistakes. It is impossible to be at the top level for 60
games a season over many years.
"Maybe sometimes [Lionel] Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo
do it.
"But I've known Joe Hart for five years and have seen
him playing at his best form and know that he is the
best. The feeling for me and my team-mates is that,
looking at him in the goal, I feel safe."
Zabaleta said Hart had been City's "main main" for the
first quarter of last season and "everyone at the club"
has total confidence in him.
The 28-year-old added: "He's one of the leaders in this
group. Before games, he's very focused and I'm sure
that very soon he'll be back to his best form."
England boss Roy Hodgson has given Hart his backing
and Pellegrini said the goalkeeper "continues with the
trust of all the team", adding: "Joe knows he must
improve. Soon I hope he recovers what he had."
Hart was slow to react for Andreas Weimann's winner
for Aston Villa last weekend, was beaten at a corner by
Cardiff striker Fraizer Campbell in August and allowed a
shot from James Morrison to go straight through him
during England's victory against Scotland at Wembley.
After the defeat by Cardiff, Pellegrini told Hart his
place was not guaranteed, with 6ft 8in Romanian
Costel Pantilimon providing his main competition.
The City boss said: "I will decide whether Joe will start
or not - I always contemplate different things. I don't
tell you now whether Joe will start on the day of the
game because the rest of the players don't know yet.
"But Costel Pantilimon is a very good goalkeeper also.
He has all the rights to play and I know he's working
hard.
"I'm absolutely sure if it is against Everton, or another
game when Pantilimon must play, he would do well."
To see the full interview with Pablo Zabaleta,
watch BBC One's Football Focus at midday on
Saturday.
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