England goalkeeper Joe Hart paid the price for a series of recent errors when Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini left him out of the team for their Premier League match against Norwich City on Saturday.

Romanian understudy Costel Pantilimon, who played in the 2-0 League Cup win over Newcastle United last Wednesday, retained his place in the starting line-up for his first Premier League appearance and kept a clean sheet in a 7-0 victory.

“My duty is to see every week who is the best player to play,” Pellegrini was quoted as saying on the City website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

“Joe needed a rest, it will be useful for him – he’s played every match for two years. Every player can have a bad moment.

“I only know that Joe must work very hard and he will have all of the support of me and the goalkeeper coach and the team.

“He is England’s goalkeeper and I think he will be back.

“I am sure he will return to his normal performance.”

Hart’s run of errors continued yesterday week when he was involved in a mix-up with defender Matija Nastasic that allowed Fernando Torres to score a late goal and give Chelsea a 2-1 win over City at Stamford Bridge.

Pantilimon’s only appearances for City last season and this term had been in cup matches before Saturday.