Joe Hart insists Manchester City have more to give

Mauricio Pochettino not happy referee’s decisions in 4-1 defeat to defending champions

Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero celebrates with goalkeeper Joe Hart after their  4-1 Premier League win over  Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Phil Noble / Reuters
Manchester City’s Sergio Agüero celebrates with goalkeeper Joe Hart after their 4-1 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. Photograph: Phil Noble / Reuters

Joe Hart warned the best was yet to come after Sergio Agüero's four-goal haul helped Manchester City rout 10-man Tottenham 4-1.

England goalkeeper Hart saved a Roberto Soldado penalty, which would have made it 2-2, but it was Argentina forward Aguero who stole the show.

"We've consolidated well," Hart said on BT Sport 1. "It was a tough summer, with some of the boys playing in the World Cup final. But I think we've done well.

“We’ve got a good understanding of playing under the manager now and we’re picking up results. I don’t think we’ve quite taken off yet. Sergio makes it look good with all the goals, but I think there’s more to come.”

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The goals told only part of the story of a breathless encounter which featured four spot-kicks - two of which were saved - countless chances and a red card for Spurs defender Federico Fazio.

Agüero missed one of the penalties himself, being denied by Hugo Lloris after he had already struck twice, either side of a Christian Eriksen equaliser. Agüero spoke in English at the start of his post-match interview, before using a translator.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “We are really happy. The (man of the match) trophy is for all the team because the team has helped me get the goals.”

Hart praised his team-mate’s contribution on the pitch, and hailed his approach off it too for having tried to conduct his interview in English.

“It’s fantastic - especially with (some of) the boys playing in Hong Kong and Beijing (for friendly internationals) over the past week,” Hart continued.

“It’s great to have him (Agüero) back. He does speak good English but obviously it’s a lot of pressure in an interview so fair play to him for even trying. He’s a very important character in our dressing room. He does all the important things as well as being a brilliant footballer, so that’s why we’re very lucky to have him.”

Agüero looked to have sustained a back injury towards the end of the match, but insisted afterwards: “It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m ready for the next game.”

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino felt his side were on the wrong end of a few decisions from referee Jon Moss — he labelled the first penalty "ridiculous" — but took positives from the fact his team were in contention until the latter stages.

"For me, it was ridiculous, but we have to accept the decision," he said of the 20th-minute spot-kick award, which came after Frank Lampard went down under the challenge of Erik Lamela.

On Fazio’s red card, for pulling back countryman Agüero midway through the second half, he added: “My feeling was that it’s not a red card. A lot of things happened today in the game. It’s difficult to analyse. We have to take some positives. We were always in the match. We were always believing it was possible to get a point, but after the penalty (making it 3-1) and the red card it was difficult.”