Manchester City Pay Price as Bamford, Martinez See Middlesbrough Through

Manchester City were knocked out of the FA Cup after a crushing 2-0 defeat at home to Middlesbrough in the fourth round.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and substitute Enrique Garcia Martinez gave Aitor Karanka’s men a thoroughly deserved victory after a battling display that saw them weather an early City onslaught before taking control in the second half.

It’s a result that will see further criticism of City’s decision to spend this week on a warm-weather training excursion in Abu Dhabi, only arriving back on Friday evening and leaving little time to prepare for the match with Boro.

And it’s not the first time they have struggled against lower-league opposition under Manuel Pellegrini. Watford outplayed them for long periods of their fourth-round tie last season, before a fifth round defeat to Wigan brought their campaign to a premature end, and they have already been run close by a Championship side this season after Sheffield Wednesday pushed them all the way in their third-round match three weeks ago.

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Lethargy was the killer for City on those occasions, but they started this one brightly, dominating a first half in which only the brilliance of Boro goalkeeper Tomas Mejias kept the away side in it. In truth, City could have had the game won by half time.

Sergio Aguero started for City in a bid to accelerate his return to full match fitness ahead of next Sunday’s crucial match with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He was partnered by Stevan Jovetic, a player under intense scrutiny after some insipid performances in recent weeks, and it was the Montenegrin who had the first chance of the game having been put through by Jesus Navas, but his turn inside the box saw the ball gathered up by Mejias in the Boro goal.

City dominated the opening exchanges, David Silva looking particularly keen to make his mark, finding himself drifting inside from the left, causing damage between the lines.

The Spaniard volleyed wide after a loose ball found its way to him just outside the area, and moments later Aguero burst into life, taking on two Boro defenders before smashing the ball against the side netting.

Having looked rusty since returning from injury a fortnight ago, that was the first glimpse of the Argentinian looking back to match sharpness.

City were warming up nicely, with Aleksandar Kolarov, woefully out of form in recent weeks, crashing a shot against the upright after excellent work by James Milner down the right, before Jovetic’s long-range effort was parried by Mejias.

And the chances kept coming. Dedryck Boyata, starting for only the third time this season, almost broke the deadlock when he was found inside the box from Milner’s cross, but his first effort was mishit, and his second was wild and flew over the bar.

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Milner brought a fine save from Mejias soon after, and his first-half display in central midfield, which is where he wants to play more regularly, must have impressed Pellegrini.

And it was Mejias to the rescue again with 10 minutes of the first half remaining when he beat away Silva’s curling effort from the edge of the area. The Middlesbrough goalkeeper appeared to be hellbent on keeping his side in it, and he produced another wonderful save from Jovetic after a neat City move involving Silva, Jesus Navas and Pablo Zabaleta.

Boro were being outplayed badly but still found the odd chance on the break, Lee Tomlin’s mazy run and shot on the stroke of half time causing concern in the City defence.

But the second half was a different story. Boro found an extra gear and went ahead against the run of play, Bamford prodding home following a woeful defensive mix-up involving Fernando and Willy Caballero.

The Brazilian’s attempted back pass was poor, and Caballero was forced to come and deal with it, but Bamford nipped in and put the ball home. It was a shocking goal for the champions to concede.

Caballero’s poor kick not long later gave Middlesbrough a chance to extend their lead, but Tomlin’s effort was well saved and Grant Leadbitter’s follow-up was blocked.

After dominating the first 45 minutes, City were now on the ropes, with Middlesbrough looking dangerous on the counter. Albert Adomah was put through after a wonderful ball from Tomlin, but his attempt at lifting the ball over Caballero one-on-one lacked quality, and City escaped further punishment.

But Boro kept coming forward with purpose, and it was Tomlin who hit the post after a lovely piece of skill on the edge of the box as City’s FA Cup hopes hung by a thread.

Jelle Vossen’s volley was then well-saved by Caballero towards the end as Middlesbrough threatened a second, with City struggling to create with the same regularity they did in the opening period of the game.

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Frank Lampard was introduced with just over 20 minutes remaining in a desperate attempt to remain in the cup. The former Chelsea man has been the saviour on numerous occasions this season, and he almost was again here when his dipping effort hit the inside of the post, but it wasn't to be.

With seconds remaining, substitute Garcia Martinez tucked the ball home, sparking scenes of delight in the away end. Middlesbrough, second in the Championship and playing with great freedom under Karanka, had masterminded a quite brilliant FA Cup upset.

For City, the inquest starts here, and they desperately need to pick up their performance before next week's all-important trip to Stamford Bridge in a make-or-break game with Chelsea.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard