Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that Joe Hart might have kept Manchester City in the Champions League following his late penalty save in tonight's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.

The Spanish giants missed the chance to bring three away goals back to Camp Nou on March 18 after Hart saved from Lionel Messi, who was fouled by Pablo Zabaleta in the dying stages.

"It was a very important save," Pellegrini is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"It gives us more chance to try and win in Barcelona... 3-1 is a very difficult score to try and erase. It was a very unnecessary penalty."

First-half goals from Luis Suarez had given the visitors a commanding 2-0 half-time lead at the Etihad.

Sergio Aguero reduced the arrears on 69 minutes, but a red card for Gael Clichy shortly after hindered City on the comeback trail.