Defeat will ‘damage’ Tottenham’s title chances

LONDON: Tottenham’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea will ‘damage’ their chances of catching Antonio Conte’s side and securing a first league title since 1961, Alan Shearer has claimed.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were beaten 4-2 by the Premier League leaders at Wembley, having twice come from behind against a Chelsea side missing several senior players.

Following their win against Bournemouth last weekend and Chelsea’s defeat by Manchester United, Spurs sit only four points behind Conte’s side heading into the final six games of the season.

But Shearer — who won the league title with Blackburn in 1995 — believes their failure to beat a weakened Chelsea team in the cup could have a crucial impact on the title race.

“They had a big chance — no (Diego) Costa, no (Gary) Cahill and no (Eden) Hazard starting in that XI who have had a huge season for Chelsea,” he told the BBC. “It will damage them with regards to the Premier League.”

Defeat on Saturday means Spurs have now lost their last seven FA Cup semi-finals — a new and unwanted record for Pochettino’s side.

Chelsea, meanwhile, bounced back from their defeat at Old Trafford and Frank Lampard believes victory at Wembley without the likes of Hazard and Costa will give them ‘confidence’ going into tomorrow’s clash with Southampton.

“(Conte) has rested two of their best players and they have won a semi-final in the cup against their direct rivals,” Lampard said. “Their run in looks nice I think it’s going to make a huge deal.” Daily Mail