Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish refused to condemn his players after watching them slip to their worst defeat of the season, conceding five goals to a rampant Manchester City side.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Nedum Onuoha scored two each, while Carlos Tevez also found the net as the Blues were on the receiving end of an uncharacteristic scoreline.
McLeish had been happy with his side's performance, until a goal late in the first half changed the complexion of the game.
"We were solid enough, up until about 40 minutes," he told Sky Sports.
"Things were going well here, the City crowd were quiet, we’d contained them, then of course [there was] the penalty, which was a bit soft, but I can see why the referee gave it. Then there was that four goal burst before half time.
"It was unbelievable. They get the penalty and they get their noses in front. Then the second goal, which I’m a bit disappointed with, because we’ve been quite good with set pieces, but Onuoha got a free header in there and it’s difficult to keep out.
"In a way we had to chase the game after that and we got a goal back, but we go and lose a soft third goal.”
The Midlands side were ripped apart at the back on numerous occasions, but the former Rangers manager refused to criticise his back line.
McLeish added: “We’ve got rookies in the Premier League, the whole back five have been brilliant, but there are things to work on for the next game.
"I see that as a blip today, but the goals in the second half were definitely of the comic cut variety.”
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