Sportnewcastle unitedcostel pantilimonManuel Pellegrini

Costel Pantilimon Expected To Keep Manchester City Place Over Joe Hart

Chill, I've Got This
The Huffington Post UK/PA

Costel Pantilimon is expected to retain his berth in Manchester City's starting line-up ahead of Joe Hart at the weekend.

Pantilimon was on Capital One Cup duty in Wednesday night's extra-time victory over Newcastle and superbly denied Papiss Cissé with the scoreline goalless.

The Romanian's presence in the 2-0 win at St James' Park was expected - he regularly features in the cup sides - but Hart's latest blunder at Chelsea could grant the Romanian game-time in the Premier League and Champions League.

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"Chill, I've got this."

"(Pantilimon) is a very good goalkeeper and he normally plays in the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup," said Pellegrini.

"This was a very important match for him. But I will start to think about the game against Norwich on Thursday. Today I was just thinking about winning this match.

"I think that we will talk tomorrow (about the team selection). One goalkeeper can play but the other will have our full support. We will think about it.

Pnatilimon at Newcastle
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Capital One Cup(01 of10)
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NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 30: Manchester City keepers Joe Hart (L) and Costel Pantilimon (R) after warming up during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on October 30, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian T Horrocks/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Capital One Cup(02 of10)
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NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 30: Manchester City keepers Joe Hart (R) and Costel Pantilimon (L) after warming up during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on October 30, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (Photo by Ian T Horrocks/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Capital One Cup Fourth Round(03 of10)
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Costel Pantilimon of Manchester City clears the ball during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on October 30, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Capital One Cup Fourth Round(04 of10)
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon of Manchester City gives instructions during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on October 30, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Capital One Cup Fourth Round(05 of10)
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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon of Manchester City gives instructions during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on October 30, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Newcastle United v Manchester City - Capital One Cup(06 of10)
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NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 30: Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon during the Capital One Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James' Park on October 30, 2013 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (Photo by Ian T Horrocks/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Fourth Round - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park(07 of10)
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Costel Pantilimon, Manchester City goalkeeper (credit:PA)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Fourth Round - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park(08 of10)
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Costel Pantilimon, Manchester City goalkeeper (credit:PA)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Fourth Round - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park(09 of10)
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Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon (credit:PA)
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Fourth Round - Newcastle United v Manchester City - St James' Park(10 of10)
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Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon (credit:PA)

"(Pantiilimon) is a good player and is not playing too much because Joe Hart played this year and last year, but I trust him and for him and for the whole team to keep a clean sheet after six games is very important."

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