The Premier League giants went behind to Atdhe Nuhiu’s goal in the FA Cup third round before a second-half James Milner double spared their blushes at the Etihad StadiumManchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini blamed fatigue and complacency for his side’s lacklustre play in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday.
The Championship club threatened a famous upset in the third-round tie at the Etihad Stadium when Atdhe Nuhiu stroked the ball home from the edge of the box in the 15th minute.
However, Premier League champions City improved after the break and birthday boy James Milner finished off a fine team goal in the 66th minute before the England international poked home an injury-time winner.
Pellegrini admits that his team fell well below their usual standards, although feels that the busy nature of the winter fixture list makes that inevitable.
“We did not play well,” he told BBC Sport. “It was our fourth game in 10 days so I think we were feeling a little bit tired and I think when you are playing a team from a different division the motivation is different.
“We played very badly, we didn’t keep the ball and we didn’t play the way we normally do.
“One of the most pleasing things about the way we have played in the last month is that we have continued winning, even without any recognised strikers, but, playing the way we have, we’ve still been able to score goals. That’s why today I found it hard to believe why we weren’t creating enough chances.”
Pellegrini is now unconcerned with who City draw in round four, adding: “It doesn’t matter as the ties are going to be tough whoever we face. It’s a very important competition for us but we have to take it a game at a time and we will try to stay involved as long as possible.”
SCORES CHART 