Keeper Hart saves day with penalty kick

Goalkeeper Joe Hart made the game-winning penalty kick as Manchester City beat the Los Angeles Galaxy 7-6 in a penalty shootout in a friendly football match on Sunday.

Hart stopped an AJ DeLaGarza’s penalty kick then stepped up to take his turn in the shootout after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw in regular time in front of a crowd of 24,897 at the Home Depot Center stadium.

The win was the third straight for Manchester City in their North American tour, and went to the shootout because thanks to the regulations of the World Football Challenge friendly tournament of which the match was a part.

But the competition ended early for Italian striker Mario Balotelli who scored the lone goal in regulation for Manchester City when he converted a penalty in the 20th minute before being sent to the showers by coach Roberto Mancini.

Balotelli never got to the shootout after he drew the ire of Mancini in the 28th minute when he broke in on goal and then turned backwards and tried to hit a ball into the Galaxy net with the back of his foot. The ball went wide and Balotelli was pulled from the game soon after.

Balotelli, who has been criticised before for his unprofessional antics, was replaced by James Milner. Once on the sideline, Mancini appeared to motion for Balotelli to head to the locker room but Balotelli extended his arms said something and then walked to the end of the bench.

Galaxy’s Mike Magee scored in the 53rd minute to tie it 1-1, hitting a perfectly place shot from outside the box that Hart couldn’t get to.

Manchester City used their starters for most of their game as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season.