Joe Hart: Derby defeat to Manchester United one the WORST days of my City career

The England goalkeeper says crisis-hit City let themselves and their fans down after a bright start to the game.

And Hart says it is now “essential” they somehow halt their alarming decline to avoid the nightmare scenario of finishing outside the top four and failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

City, who were joint top with Chelsea on New Year’s Day, have slipped to fourth place, 12 points behind Jose Mourinho’s leaders, after taking only 15 points from a possible 36, a disastrous run that has put manager Manuel Pellegrini's future under intense scrutiny.

The 4-2 setback to United was their fourth defeat in six Premier League games and Hart admits they are now peering anxiously over their shoulders rather than looking at catching Chelsea and retaining their title.

“That's one of my worst in a Man City shirt, definitely,” he said. 

“It's hard to take. We've won enough of them to know how to lose properly though and we weren't good enough after the first 15 minutes. 

“We let ourselves down and we let our supporters down.

“It would be easier to win games if I knew what was wrong with us but we've played well and been unfortunate in some games. 

“Not many teams have put us to the sword like that. 

“United know what they are doing, they took their chances. 

“I didn't have an overly busy day but United took their chances.

“There are six games to go now and they are so big for us. 

“It's essential to try and finish third. We've got to get our heads down and win these massive games.

“I'm hurting from this defeat, there's a lot of emotion running through me. 

“Let's see how it feels tomorrow, we'll think about it and we'll go again.”