Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini refused to blame Joe Hart for their 1-0 Europa League first-leg defeat at Sporting Lisbon

Mancini hailed Hart's performance and refused to blame him for the goal.

Hart pushed away a Matias Fernandez free-kick and reacted quickly to save from Xandao before being beaten by the Brazilian's second attempt, a nifty backheel.

Mancini said: "Joe is a fantastic keeper and this is his job, I hope he can continue to do this."