Football
Dan Kilpatrick, Tottenham Correspondent 7y

Pochettino insists defeat to Chelsea won't affect Spurs in league

LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino has said the FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea will have no impact on the title race, insisting his side were unlucky to lose 4-2 at Wembley.

Spurs lost a record seventh-consecutive FA Cup semifinal after conceding four goals from five shots on target -- a free kick, a penalty and stunning second-half strikes from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic.

Chelsea also lead Spurs by four points in the Premier League table with six league matches remaining, but Pochettino says the defeat will not have a psychological impact on his players ahead of the resumption of the league at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

"It's not important. We will move on. Yes, it's true now the players are very disappointed but tomorrow we will work again on the training ground," the Spurs manager told a postmatch news conference.

"We will change again and focus on the next game in the Premier League and Wednesday against Crystal Palace. If you play as you did today you cannot be worried, because I think you will give your best.

"The football today doesn't pay what we deserve. But I understand totally that in football you can play well sometimes and not win. But you can only be disappointed for a little bit because tomorrow we will prepare again for the next game and try to close the gap with Chelsea."

With Ben Davies carrying a knock and only fit enough for the bench, Pochettino sprang a surprise by naming Son Heung-Min, a forward, at left wing-back, while Kyle Walker was also a surprise omission from the starting lineup.

Chelsea led after five minutes through WIllian's free kick and the Brazil international restored their advantage from the penalty spot, after Son's rash challenge on Victor Moses, following Harry Kane's fine equaliser.

"I did not think it was a penalty. The team again showed big character and personality to dominate the second half. They played well and it was 2-2," Pochettino added.

"We were unlucky because from the only corner we'd conceded [to Hazard] this afternoon and then they scored and it was 3-2 and it's true the game was different. We tried to change and find some different options to play and then they scored an amazing goal. Nothing to say.

"Four-two looks impressive for Chelsea. But i think it's a game that I feel proud of my players. We gave all that we had. Nothing to say. It's true that we lost. That is the way that we want to play. We respect the way that we play, our philosophy. It's certainly a basis for the future. It's not this season for us in the FA Cup."

Pochettino also paid tribute to Ugo Ehiogu, Spurs' under-23 coach, who died on Friday after collapsing at the club's training ground, saying it had put things in perspective.

"It was Friday and it was a big shock for all. We were on the training ground. It was a big impact,because it was a person who was very close to us. In that moment you realise it's real life," he said.

"It's true that we are fighting to play and win games, but it's all relative after that type of situation. One more time I want to send all my condolences to his family and friends. It was a big loss for them and us."

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