Pellegrini critical of City performance following cup exit

Manager admits to underestimating Wigan

City manager Manuel Pellegrini has criticised his team's performance following the shock 2-1 F.A. Cup defeat against holders Wigan, labelling it "the worst first half we've had in the year". Goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch gave the Championship side a 2-0 lead, before Samir Nasri's consolation for the Blues.

"They won five games in a row so we knew before the match we are going to play a difficult team, maybe we thought that was not going to be so difficult and when we react it was too late", said Pellegrini.

"We knew exactly how Wigan play; it's not a tactical problem, it was a pace problem, a tempo problem," he said.

"In the last 35 minutes they continue playing the same way and we continue playing the same way.

"We had at least three of four chances to score more goals. When you don't have the same intensity it's very difficult to win."