Intro:

Reaction after Manchester City were knocked out in the fourth round of the English FA Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough on Saturday (24th January), losing 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City manager (asked how he can prove the Abu Dhabi trip didn't effect his players):

"Well because we had six or seven clear chances to score the goal. At the beginning I think we played very well. After they scored the goal we, they scored and they have another counter-attack where they can score more goals, but it's very easy to say that, but that's the reason why I don't think that's the reason."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City manager (asked why his side lost):

Before they scored I think we did very well. After that I think that Middlesbrough deserved to continue in the cup, but I think that it's not normal to not score the last two games here at home. I think it's a lot of football reasons more than Abu Dhabi and these different things, when talking about this defeat."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Aitor Karanka, Middlesbrough manager:

"It was a game that was for me.... in the same way that we are playing in the Championship. We are.... we are creating a lot of chances, but we are not scoring the goals and today the game reminded me, the Championship games, but the problem is that we have.... today we have a Champions League team to play against, so I knew that it was going to be very, very difficult and when we have scored the second goal everything was done."