Source: Daily_Mail
Shay Given v Joe Hart: The fight to be Manchester City's No 1
Manchester City goalkeepers Shay Given and Joe Hart are locked in a battle to become the club's first choice goalkeeper as the start of the Premier League season draws nearer. Hart, 23, was highly impressive on loan at Birmingham City last season and the former Shrewsbury Town stopper looks favourite to be England's No 1 goalkeeper for the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Battle for No 1: Joe Hart and Shay Given both want to be first choice at EastlandsGiven, however, has been a model of consistency in the Premier League for over a decade and his game showed no signs of deteriorating last season despite his advancing years. Both goalkeepers have notched 50 appearances each for City though Given, 34, is almost exactly 11 years older than Hart. SHAY GIVEN v JOE HART GIVENAge: 34 (20.4.76) Height: 6'1 Career: Blackburn Rovers (1994-7) - 2apps, Swindon Town (Loan 1995) - 5 apps, Sunderland (Loan 1996) - 17apps, Newcastle United (1997-2009) - 354 apps, Man City (2009-) - 50apps. International career: Republic of Ireland (1996-) - 104 appsHARTAge: 23 (19.4.87) Height: 6'3 Career: Shrewsbury Town (2003-6) - 54appearances, Man City (2006-) - 50 apps, Tranmere (Loan 2007) - 5 apps,Blackpool (Loan 2007) - 6 apps, Birmingham (Loan 2009-10) - 36 appsInternational career: England Under 21s (2007-9) - 21 caps, England(2008-) - 3 capsIt is Given's experience that makes him favourite to be City's No 1 for the upcoming season.Joe Hart appears to have all the attributes required of aworld-class keeper - height, agility, command of his area and gooddistribution - but Mark Hughes decided to bring in Given for hisconsistency after Hart made a few errors in the 2008-9 campaign. Given is third on the all time appearances list for goalkeepers inthe Premier League with 402, behind David James and Mark Schwarzer.Despite being relatively short for a goalkeeper Given has alwayscommanded his area well and is an excellent shot-stopper. Although the wrong side of thirty Given has shown no signs that hisagility and reflexes are waning after 13 years of top flightgoalkeeping. With both goalkeepers at crucial stages of their career anddesperately in need of games neither appear likely to sit contently onthe bench, especially given the international ambitions that eachgoalkeeper holds. Shay GivenWas tipped for the top from a young age at Blackburn but moved to Newcastle for £1.5m in 1997 after failing to dislodge Tim Flowers at Ewood Park. Was a regular at Newcastle until his departure in 2009, where he established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the country. Holds the record number of caps for a Republic of Ireland player with 104. Joe HartHaving made 50 league appearances in League Two with Shrewsbury Town before he had turned 18, Manchester City spotted Joe Hart's potential by paying a fee that has risen to £1.5m. Sven Goran Eriksson made Hart City's number one at the start of the 2007-8 campaign, and following a solid season, Hart was handed his England debut in June 2008. He began the 2008-9 season as City's No 1, but seemingly unconvinced by Hart's ability, Mark Hughes signed Shay Given from Newcastle United for £6m in January 2009. Although Hart's appearances were limited for the remainder of the 2008-9 campaign, he played for England Under 21s at the 2009 European Championships, scoring a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out win over Sweden. After a highly successful season on loan at Birmingham, where Hart was named in the Premier League's team of the year, Hart looks set to be given a chance as England's first choice goalkeeper. Other goalkeeping rivalries: Shay Given and Steve Harper (Newcastle 1997-2009)Surely the longest goalkeeping rivalry in Premier League history. Harper waited patiently in the wings for 11 and a half seasons until Given's move to Man City. Worth the wait: Steve Harper was the Newcastle No 2 for 11 years Harper made just 88 league appearances between 1997 and 2008, going from rookie to veteran in the process. The 35-year-old is making up for lost time now though, he captains the Magpies and has made 61 league appearances since Given's departure. Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia (Arsenal 2007-8) Top Gun: Manuel Almunia ultimately ousted Jens Lehmann as the Arsenal No 1 After serving as Jens Lehmann's understudy for three seasons, Manuel Almunia was finally given his chance at Arsenal in 2007 after a string of errors by the German veteran. Lehmann made several appearances in cup competitions and when Almunia was injured, though was left frustrated for the most part, criticising his manager and team-mate for his exclusion in the process. Lehmann departed at the end of the season. Shay Given ready to quit Manchester City if Joe Hart beats him to Eastlands No 1 spotSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsJoe Hart could be England's number one and Manchester City's number two warns Roberto ManciniMANCHESTER CITY FC