Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was not happy despite his team’s 2-0 win against Salford City in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Spaniard said they didn’t read the space well at the Etihad Stadium against their League Two neighbours on Saturday.

Alfie Dorrington scored an own goal in the sixth minute of the game whereas Marc Guehl was able to put the game to bed in the 81st minute.

Asked if he was pleased with the performance, Guardiola said: “No. We didn’t read the spaces where they were. With the spaces in attack it depends on how they defend it and we didn’t read it.”

He added: “That is the reason why the game was boring. The only good news is we go through. That’s all.”

Guardiola made nine changes to the playing XI as he took the opportunity to rotate his squad.

The Spaniard admitted they were tired and exhausted but didn’t want to use it as an excuse for his team’s mundane show.

“It would be nice for me to say mentally we’re exhausted, we’re tired, it has been a tough two or three weeks for many reasons,” Guardiola said.

“But it’s our job. The calendar says to play every few days.

“We just didn’t read where the spaces were and everything was flat and slow and not good.”

Meanwhile, City’s defender John Stones made a comeback after recovering from a thigh injury.

Guardiola said, “He’s back. He still needs time, he’s not the John Stones that we knew but his body language was really good in terms of the press and aggression,” Guardiola said. “It’s important that he played 65 minutes.”

Manchester City will next take on Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.