David Platt, the Manchester City assistant coach, says that an injury was responsible for the poor goal conceded by goalkeeper Joe Hart in his side's 2-1 victory over West Ham United.
Hart's season has been punctuated by high-profile errors, the latest coming in injury time on Saturday when he allowed a well-hit shot from West Ham forward Andy Carroll to pass through his hands and legs on its way into the net.
While the late goal had no bearing on the outcome of the game, it was an embarrassing moment for Hart, who had appeared shaken moments before after suffering a back spasm while kicking the ball.
Hart had earlier received treatment after he hurt himself when he landed awkwardly as he saved a header from Carroll and Platt said the injury affected his ability to react when the same player took aim in stoppage time.
"I think his back spasmed as he kicked the ball," explained Platt. "He is a bit blocked up in there and will be sore in the morning.
"It was probably a contributory factor in the goal, clearly. If he is carrying that kind of injury then he can't get down there. His back just spasmed and he couldn't get down low to the ball.
"Most keepers, because they are throwing themselves around all day during the week, have an issue like that, but it's a 24-hour thing, really."
City's victory featured goals from Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure, although their man of the match was, arguably, midfielder Samir Nasri, who has endured a poor season and was recently criticised by manager Mancini.
Platt refused to concede, however, that Mancini's public criticism of the Frenchman has had any bearing on his improved performances.
"Samir is a tremendous player and in recent weeks he has played very well," he said.
"I don't think it's as easy to turn around and say it's because Roberto answered a direct question tongue-in-cheek that is a contributory factor to Samir playing well."
Mancini expressed his frustration at City missing a host of chances and sometimes playing over-elaborate football; factors that have concerned the Italian for much of the season.
"We scored a fantastic first goal but at the same time, we want to be too beautiful, maybe," said Mancini. "It is enough just to score. It's the same all season. We could have scored four, five, six, but it was important to win."
Mancini also repeated his oft-stated desire to carry out his close-season transfer business as soon as possible at the end of the current campaign.
Mindful of having lost out in the chase for Robin van Persie, who moved from Arsenal to Manchester United a year ago, City's manager is keen to avoid a similar disaster this year.
"It's important to move quickly as there are more top teams that want to buy new players -- you can talk about Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United," he said.
"If we don't move quickly, the chance to sign good players could be finished. For now it's important for us to finish the season well as we need to win the next games to get second position and try to win the FA Cup final (against Wigan Athletic)."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was pleased with his team's second-half performance and confirmed his club are keen to make Carroll's loan spell at the club from Liverpool a permanent one.
"We will find out at the end of the season," he said. "We'd like to, but there is a lot to do between us, Liverpool and Andy. He's scored again and that's now six goals in nine (games) from him."
Source: AFP
