Tottenham's FA Cup defeat by Chelsea will not impact title race, says Mauricio Pochettino

By Lyall Thomas at Wembley

Saturday 22 April 2017 21:19, UK

Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham's battle with Chelsea for the Premier League title will not falter despite losing to their rivals in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Spurs were beaten 4-2 at Wembley but Pochettino says he was proud of their display and is already looking ahead to their six remaining games with his side four points behind Antonio Conte's league leaders.

Chelsea face Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday while Tottenham travel to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, with both games live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

"No, the result is not important (in the title race). We will move on," Pochettino said.

"It's true that, right now, the players are very disappointed but tomorrow we work again on the training ground and change the focus for the next game - Crystal Palace.

"If we play the way we played today then we cannot be worried. Our football today doesn't pay what we deserve but I know football; sometimes you play well and don't win."

Tottenham dominated the game and twice came from behind to equalise, with goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli cancelling out Willian's first-half efforts.

But late strikes from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic denied Spurs the chance to make their first FA Cup final since 1991.

Pochettino said: "If I am a Tottenham supporter I feel very disappointed but I feel proud because we dominated a team that played well.

"We forced them to play deep and on the counter-attack. The players gave a fantastic effort.

"It's my first semi-final. I cannot change the past. The past is in the past and we need to build the present to have a better future.

"We are building an exciting team. We only need time to win. To fight at that level against Chelsea and the big sides is fantastic for us - a big thing."