Published: 21 February, 2016
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

FA Cup, 5th Round
SPURS 0, CRYSTAL PALACE 1

SPURS crashed out of the FA Cup today (Sunday) in a tempestuous London derby against Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane.

A first-half goal from Palace full-back Martin Kelly was enough to separate the sides, and while Spurs dominated possession and created a number of chances, a mixture of dogged defending and a dash of luck meant Mauricio Pochettino's side’s hopes of a Wembley appearance in May were dashed.

Speaking after the match, the Spurs manager said: “It was tough. It was like a Premier League game.”

He played down questions as to whether his team were beginning to flag after a season that has seen their high-octane football take them within striking distance of the Premier League summit.

He added: “There was no tiredness. It is, however, a tough period for us.

“We have a crazy schedule but now we need to look forward and be ready for next Thursday [when Spurs meet Fiorentina in the second leg of a Europa League tie].”

He added that, while dropping out of the FA Cup meant there were less games to play as he aims for the title, no one in the dressing room saw the defeat in that way. 

He said: “It is impossible to know if losing will help us in the long-run. We feel disappointed to be out.”

Pochettino made changes. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm came in for the injured Hugo Lloris, while there were rare starts for Nabil Bentaleb and Josh Onomah. Ever-present players Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld were benched while Eric Dier dropped into the centre of the defence.

The sides traded blows in a gritty first half that saw referee Craig Pawson blow up for niggly foul after niggly foul. It was crying out for a card to calm things down – but none were forthcoming as players indulged in individual running battles.

Spurs started well. On two minutes Dele Alli watched a header from close range hoiked off the line by Yohan Cabaye. Midway through the first half he went close again. Heung-Min Son stormed forward and his twisting run took him into the box. Alli latched on to the ball from around six yards but his side-footed effort struck both posts. 

Palace's goal was threatened again on 41 when a Harry Kane free-kick forced Palace keeper Wayne Hennessey into a sprawling stop.

But, just as it looked like Tottenham's possession may yield rewards, the visitors went into half-time with their noses in front. In stoppage time, full-back Martin Kelly was found in space on the Spurs left and thumped home.

Spurs nearly levelled on 50, when Son crossed for the lurking Josh Onomah. A last-ditch tackle blocked the youngster opening his senior account. Alli felt he should have had a penalty on 57 when he was bundled over as he shaped to shoot, and then fired narrowly wide on 61.

However, with legs tiring and Palace putting everyone behind the ball, the breakthrough was not forthcoming. Substitute Nacer Chadli fired a delicious volley goalwards in the dying moments – only to see it strike the back of the head of Palace's Jordan Mutch.

Spurs will be disappointed, but with the Europa League still to play for and a title charge on, this FA Cup defeat is far from season-defining.

SPURS: Vorm, Walker, Rose, Bentaleb, Son (Chadli, 66), Kane, Dier, Dembele (Eriksen, half time), Alli (Mason, 79), Onomah, Wimmer.
Subs: McGee, Alderweireld, Mason, Trippier, Chadli, Eriksen, Winks.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

• YOUNGSTER Josh Onomah put in a good shift today, showing strength on the ball, a neat box of tricks, and the sense to know when to keep it simple. He is surely the next Academy graduate to cement a place in the first-team squad.

• IT was good to see Nabil Bentaleb get a runout. He made the centre midfield his own last year, but has struggled with injuries. He is ring rusty, and needs game time if he is to make an impact.

• MOUSA Dembele was taken off at half-time with a groin problem. There will be anxious faces at Spurs Lodge this week – Dembele has often found little niggles curtailing game time.