Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has explained why he chose Joe Hart over Kasper Schmeichel for Saturday's defeat of Newcastle United.

While Schmeichel has done far better than many could expect of a player who spent time on loan at Falkirk last season, comparisons with his dad Peter are wide of the mark.

The young Dane remains shaky under the high ball, so, with Mark Viduka earmarked as a particular threat for the Magpies, Eriksson stuck with Hart, the current England Under-21 keeper signed from Shrewsbury for £800,000 by former boss Stuart Pearce.

"It was a very difficult decision because Kasper has done extremely well and kept a lot of clean sheets," said Eriksson.

"But I was a bit afraid of corners, free-kicks and crosses. Hart is physically taller and can handle them better."