Mauricio Pochettino bemoans ‘painful’ Tottenham loss vs Crystal Palace as FA Cup elimination compounds miserable week
Spurs were eliminated in their Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday vs Chelsea with injuries hurting their hopes of silverware this season
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Your support makes all the difference.Mauricio Pochettino admits the manner of Tottenham's defeat to Crystal Palace makes it "painful," with the 2-0 result compounding a miserable week following their Carabao Cup exit on Thursday.
Spurs have now been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions inside three days after Chelsea triumphed on penalties at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of the semi-final.
And Conor Wickham and Andros Townsend’s goals in the first half were enough to down a Spurs side struggling for inspiration at Selhurst Park.
The visitors’ wasted a lifeline when Kieran Trippier’s penalty missed the target before half-time, leaving Pochettino looking glum on the bench.
And the Argentine claims Spurs dominated the match, making it more difficult to stomach.
“The performance wasn’t bad, it’s difficult to defend with the 2-0, we created chances, we had the possession, but we didn’t score," Pochettino told BT Sport.
"We feel disappointed with the way we conceded. Palace didn’t do too much, but they scored. Disappointed because if you play bad, of course, you don’t deserve, you’re more relaxed, but this type of game, you dominate, it’s so disappointing and painful to lose like this.
“The key moment was the penalty, 2-1 at half-time, you should change everything and the belief, we need to look forward to the Premier League and the Champions League. In four days, you play the semi-final vs Chelsea, and then the FA Cup, you feel disappointed, but this is football here, we can’t complain.
Mauricio Pochettino looks on as Crystal Palace defeat Tottenham (REUTERS)
Next up for Spurs will be Watford at Wembley on Wednesday as they attempt to stop this blip spiralling out of control.
Son Heung-min should return next week after international duty with South Korea in the Asian Cup, with defeat to Qatar seeing the forward return prematurely.
Though Son admitted to feeling “physically empty,” which will leave Pochettino with a challenge to ensure he can replicate the outstanding form he has shown in recent months.
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