Hart: Early exit disappointing

Joe Hart bemoaned an "incredibly disappointing" night for Manchester City after they crashed out of the Champions League following a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid on Wednesday.



Hart said the English champions had surprised themselves "in a very bad way" after they posted a fifth straight result without a win in Europe. Sergio Aguero's leveller after Karim Benzema's opener was not enough and they must now look to the Europa League.



"It's incredibly disappointing," Hart said on Sky Sports. "It's incredibly frustrating. We're a very good team and we've surprised ourselves in a very bad way. We weren't able to do the business when it mattered.



"All games have cost us. We've lost two away games and drawn at home. We led in the away games and lost. It's been a bad campaign for us."



Madrid's opener came when Maicon went to sleep at the back post, allowing Benzema to drift in unmarked to score. It was yet another avoidable goal for City to concede and Hart was not happy.



"It was a free man, seven yards out, sloppy," Hart said.



The frustration boiled over in the City keeper, who targeted the referee for allowing Madrid to time waste, but clearly Hart was just hitting out after another shocking campaign in Europe under Roberto Mancini.



"The ref's not had the best night. I'm not usually one to blame officials, but the ball's out of play for 20 minutes, I'm surprised at them for doing that," Hart said.



"But we're out of the competition."

Dudek: Hart can be world's best

Former Poland international Jerzy Dudek believes England's Joe Hart has the potential to become the best goalkeeper in the world.



Manchester City shot-stopper Hart is in line to win his 26th England cap in Poland on Tuesday night when the Three Lions travel to Warsaw in World Cup qualifying.



The 25-year-old is already rated highly and has earned plaudits for his performances for both club and country.



Ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid shot-stopper Dudek, who stepped down from the international stage in 2009 before leaving Madrid last year, feels Hart is heading in the right direction.



"Hart has great potential for sure," he said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports. "He very quickly confirmed his ability in the Manchester City team.



"English fans complained recently about players in this position. But England have had some great keepers and Hart is another one on this list.



"He is going in the right direction.



"Can we name him the best in the world? It is difficult question.



"You can find fantastic keepers in other leagues as well, for example (Iker) Casillas in Spain or (Gianluigi) Buffon in Serie A. They have kept their top form for a very long period.



"If Hart can do the same, he will have a real chance of becoming the best in the world."



Dudek, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, believes former Reds team-mate and England captain Steven Gerrard will pose a threat against Poland on Tuesday, particularly from free-kicks.



"We must remember about Steven Gerrard's free-kicks," he said. "During Euro 2012 we realised what a danger they can be."



Dudek returned to Poland after leaving Madrid and has been involved in television punditry work, but the 39-year-old is not ruling out a comeback on the pitch, admitting a move to Major League Soccer would be an interesting avenue to explore.



"I still practice two times a week, to be on form," he said. "I have not yet officially finished my career.



"Let's say, I'm considering now what I can do after retiring. But honestly, I still find in myself a desire to play again!



"And maybe I'll decide to come back? Major League Soccer in the USA seems to be an interesting direction. Who knows, maybe one day."

Top 10 best buys

Premier League's best bargains, in pictures :-

Nicolas Anelka: £500,000

A great investment by Arsene Wenger who signed Anelka frm Paris St Germain in 1997. During his two seasons he helped the club to a league and cup double before joining Real Madrid for just under £23 million.



Demba Ba: free

A risk by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew given the state of the striker's knees but it's paid off enormously. He scored 16 goals in his first season on Tyneside.



Tim Cahill: £1.5m

Twice a bargain transfer. The first time when Everton signed him from Milwall for £1.5 million in 2004 and if the latest rumours prove true, the Australian is set to join the New York Red Bulls for just over a million.



Sol Campbell: free

He angered Tottenham fans when he joined Arsenal for nothing but it was another genius bit of negotiating from Wenger as Campbell was central to the club's success between 2001-06.



Eric Cantona: £1.2m

Probably Sir Alex Ferguson's best deal to date; The King cost the Scot just £1.2m when he signed from Leeds in 1992. He was well worth it and scored 64 goals in 143 appearances.



Ole Gunner Solskjaer: £1.5m

United's Baby Faced Assasin cost them just £1.5 million, a great investment for 10 years of outstanding service and crucial goals.



Robin van Persie: £2.75

A cut price for the striker who arrived from Feyenoord in 2004 and went on to score 96 goals in 194 appearances. Arsenal are set to cash in on the Dutchman who has recently annunced he intends to leave.



Joe Hart: £600,000

Manchester City and England's No 1 goalkeeper who cost next to nothing in 2006. he is now one of the club's top earners.



Shay Given: £1.5

Another bargain goalkeeper, Newcastle paid under two million for Shay Given in 1997 and were rewarded with 10 years of outstanding service.



Cesc Fabregas: free

Another great piece of negotiating from Wenger who is renowned for his unwillingness to spend big. A young Fabregas joined in 2003 as he feared getting not play time at Barcelona. Again Arsenal cashed in on their man and sold him back to the Catalan club last year for £30m.