Tottenham vs. Chelsea FA Cup semifinal: Premier League title race implications
By Gary Pearson
All eyes are fixed on Spurs FA Cup semifinal against Chelsea on Saturday but how will the result affect the Premier title race?
An FA Cup semifinal on its own merit bears gargantuan importance, the winner advancing for a chance to add the second most coveted domestic trophy – behind the Premier League crown – to the trophy cabinet.
But, whether players and staff like to admit it, this match has even more sweeping significance. As if a berth into the FA Cup final isn’t enough incentive, the semifinal winner will have an immeasurable psychological advantage going into the Premier League’s stretch run.
What A Spurs win means for their title hopes
A Spurs win will inflict further doubt into Antonio Conte’s men.
Already fragile after two recent defeats, Chelsea can ill-afford to lose a match of this magnitude against a team whose pursuit of the title is so relentless.
The west Londoners haven’t kept a clean sheet in 10 matches and failed, for the first time in almost a decade, to register a shot on target in the loss to Manchester United. Conte’s body language at Old Trafford was a far cry from his usual angelic, gesticulating self. He was somber, discernibly concerned.
A Chelsea loss could cause irreparable damage to their collective psyche, and title hopes. That sinking feeling would only be compounded by Spurs’ elation.
A Spurs win would send them to their first FA Cup final since 1991, when they beat Nottingham Forest for the team’s eighth FA Cup trophy. It would also be Spurs eighth successive win.
Mauricio Pochettino already has an unwavering belief in his team’s title aspirations. Just imagine the rapturous joy and confidence they’ll take from ousting their main Premier League rival in a major semifinal. An immense contrast of emotions would spread amongst the teams like an airborne contagion, the residual effects almost certainly lingering.
Spurs, if, heaven forbid, they fall at the final hurdle, would also be hamstrung by the loss. While it wouldn’t be as damaging, Tottenham won’t want to give Chelsea even a sliver of hope. Spurs can recover more easily from a semifinal defeat but a Chelsea win would galvanize the team and provide an invaluable emotional lift for their remaining league fixtures.
A place in the FA Cup final, while incredibly desirable, isn’t the only thing up for grabs at Wembley tomorrow.
Next: Tottenham vs. Chelsea FA Cup semifinal preview
The winner will have a clear emotional and psychological advantage going into the final month of the season. Unimaginable consequences await the loser.
You won’t find a more important game with wider reaching implications.
And that’s exactly why there’s so much hype, and one of many reasons Spurs supporters are hysterical with excitement, while slightly on edge.