Tottenham Unlucky in Loss Against Crystal Palace

Tottenham lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Ending one of their hunts for silverware.

Luck plays a part in football and for Tottenham, they were unlucky to walk away from yesterday’s game without scoring a goal despite multiple chances being given to them right at the goal line.

On two clear-cut occasions, Dele Alli should have had a brace from two first half attempts. A diving header off of a Son Heung-Min corner that hit a Crystal Palace defender’s chest. And a shot about 12 yards out that hit both posts before getting cleared away.

If that’s not unlucky, then what else could it be?

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While Tottenham enjoyed more possession, shots and shots on target than Crystal Palace, their main undoing was the ball not going into the back of the net. This had nothing to do with a lack of trying or even their starting eleven.

Mauricio Pochettino selected a good lineup — it wasn’t his strongest, but it was more than enough to handle a Palace side who hadn’t won a Premier League game in over two months (December 19, a 2-1 win against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium).

Meaning Alan Pardew’s side’s form was completely off, and while this game was anything but easy — nothing is easy — Tottenham were favorites to advance.

Now sure, Toby Alderweireld had only played in one FA Cup game, back in the third round against Leicester City, and he hasn’t played in any since then. But seeing Christian Eriksen also getting some rest was due to the fact that on Thursday, Tottenham would be hosting Fiorentina in the second leg of the Europa League’s round of 32. Therefore, Pochettino decided to let a couple of players rest while also pulling Dele Alli out with 10 minutes left to go.

Of course, it wouldn’t take Eriksen that long to make his way onto the pitch; coming on to start the second half. But this change was more of a reflection on what happened in the first half: great opportunities to score, having Crystal Palace on their heels and trailing by one goal.

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So instead of keeping Mousa Dembélé in the game, bringing on the Danish international was a way to add more attacking pressure and finding more holes in Palace’s defense which saw Spurs easily exploit them for the first 45 minutes.

Except of course, no goals being scored, which was just unfortunate for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and the home crowd at White Hart Lane.

Had Tottenham managed to score early and often during this game, they would have been able to take on Reading in the sixth round. Or at the very least, force a replay and travel to Selhurst Park. Which of course would have made their season that much harder though because it’s an extra game being played. Possibly on short rest and mid-week.

Also, not to take any credit away from Crystal Palace, who managed to get a goal before half-time and earn a clean sheet. But they also had their own chances to extend their lead, so Alan Pardew’s team were also unlucky to not score some more goals.

Next: Tottenham Player Ratings: FA Cup Tie vs Crystal Palace

But overall, losing to the Eagles and this far in the FA Cup is a tough loss to take. The only thing to take solace from a crushing defeat, when Tottenham did everything right, is that there will be less games being played from now until the end of the season.

This means that Spurs get a little more rest after playing a Thursday-Saturday/Sunday schedule. While also catching up, somewhat, with Leicester City’s fixture list. Where they only have to worry about 12 matches until May — Premier League games only.