This season is tougher than expected – Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham’s struggles this season have exceeded his expectations after seeing his side eliminated from two cup competitions inside four days.

Spurs followed up their penalty shoot-out defeat to Chelsea in the EFL Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 reverse in the FA Cup fourth round at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Goals from Connor Wickham and former Spurs winger Andros Townsend settled the game at Selhurst Park, after which Pochettino offered no excuses for his side’s below-par performance.

“It was a fair result,” Pochettino told reporters.

“They scored and we didn’t. I can’t say anything about that.

“We can talk about possession and shots but if you don’t score you don’t deserve to win games.”

FULL-TIME: We’re unable to find a way back into the game and our @EmiratesFACup run comes to an end at Selhurst Park. pic.twitter.com/Ha8MxAUvFu

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 27, 2019

Pochettino made eight changes to his side, with only Paulo Gazzaniga, Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente retained from the side that lost to Chelsea.

With Harry Kane and Dele Alli injured, and Son Heung-min travelling back from the Asian Cup, Tottenham lacked a cutting edge in attack as they squandered numerous chances to get back into the game, including a penalty that Kieran Trippier missed.

Defeat means Spurs’ chances of silverware rest in the Premier League, where they trail leaders Liverpool by nine points, and the Champions League, where a tough last-16 assignment with Borussia Dortmund awaits, but Pochettino said he had to make the changes he did.

Pochettino said: “We came from a crazy fixture schedule and we were forced to make some changes. This season is tough and it’s going to be a massive challenge for us.

“We knew it would be a tough season for us but not as tough as it has been.

“We’re out of two competitions since Wednesday and we’re disappointed.”

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson paid tribute to Wickham, who scored his first goal in over two years having endured a long rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

“It’s a credit to him,” said Hodgson of the 25-year-old, who scored after nine minutes.

“For Connor to crown it with a goal is good news. He’s worked hard to get where he is. I decided to rest Jordan [Ayew] so he could play.”

Palace went into the game on the back of league defeats to Watford and Liverpool, and have games with Southampton, Fulham and West Ham on the horizon.

Hodgson added: “I don’t think we needed anything to change our approach or confidence.

“We have three big games coming up.”