Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says his team only did well in the last 20 minutes against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
The Citizens needed some James Milner magic to recover from a below-par first half performance and reach the fourth round of the FA Cup with the Chilean relieved to avoid a replay at the Hillsborough.
"I'm relieved because I don't think we played very well today," said Pellegrini.
"Apart from the last 20 minutes, we played very badly because we didn't press well, we didn't have good movement and we didn't make any chances while Sheffield Wednesday had just one opportunity from which they scored.
"We tried to change things in the final half-hour and found another gear and with Yaya Toure, James Milner, Samir Nasri and David Silva all on the pitch, we began to find space and finally create chances
"Each game is different and we didn't do as well this time, but as soon as we returned to our normal formation in midfield we looked much better and scored two goals.
"We didn't expect it to be easy today and when you go behind to a side from the Championship, they make it hard for you and they played very well today.
"The FA Cup is a fantastic competition and there is one game a month from now until May and it is something we will be doing our best to win."
