The encounter between Chelsea and Manchester City this weekend promises to be a fascinating contest between the two best teams in the Barclays Premier League. As we look forward to the showdown at Stamford Bridge, every day this week premierleague.com will be taking a closer look at the main protagonists in this top-of-the-table duel.
Today we compare the attributes of two of the league's best goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois and Joe Hart. There is little to choose between the two, who have each played a significant part in helping their sides to contend for the title, keeping seven clean sheets each and Hart conceding one goal fewer than Courtois.
The Chelsea goalkeeper has taken to the Barclays Premier League with aplomb, commanding the penalty area with an authority that belies his 22 years and helping his side achieve the second-best defensive record in the English top flight after Southampton.
The Belgian is superb at claiming crosses, as reflected by his 41 catches, the third most in the division, compared with Joe Hart's 28 and he has yet to drop a single ball, as opposed to Hart, who has spilled the ball twice.
| COURTOIS V HART | ||
|---|---|---|
| Courtois | Hart | |
| 22 | Age | 27 |
| 19 | Appearances | 20 |
| 19 | Goals conceded | 18 |
| 7 | Clean sheets | 7 |
| 66.1% | Save % | 71.0% |
| 50% | Save % (in box) | 60.9% |
| 87.5% | Save % (outside box) | 100% |
| 37 | Saves | 44 |
| 16 | Saves (shots in box) | 28 |
| 21 | Saves (shouts outside box) | 16 |
| 0/1 | Penalty saves | 1/2 |
| 41 | Catches | 28 |
| 5 | Punches | 21 |
| 0 | Drops | 2 |
However, England's No 1 takes a different approach to dealing with centres, preferring to use his fists to clear the ball. Indeed Hart has managed 21 punches this season, which is not just a BPL best but ranks him third in Europe's top five leagues in that category.
Man City's goalkeeper has not enjoyed as much protection as his Chelsea counterpart, having faced 217 shots to Courtois's 189 and has had to make eight more saves than the former Atletico Madrid loanee, including one from the penalty spot. Hart has also yet to be beaten by a shot from outside the area.
"Joe Hart has come back to real form this season," said Kevin Kilbane, the former Everton midfielder. "I've witnessed some outstanding individual performances from him this season. He’s been required to make more saves because of the way Man City play.
"Courtois plays behind a very tight unit. It's probably easier for him at times because he doesn't have as many shots to save but I love the way Courtois commands his area. If crosses come in and the defence miss them, he comes out and invariably takes them. For a player in his first season in the Premier League he has adapted incredibly well. He has really grasped the nettle."
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