Palace knocks Spurs out of FA Cup
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur has exited its second competition in four days after a 20 defeat at Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the FA Cup yesterday, while defending champion Chelsea was boosted by two video reviews in beating Sheffield Wednesday 30.
Palace took a ninthminute lead when Jeff Schlupp’s shot was saved by Paulo Gazzaniga but the Spurs goalkeeper could only push the ball into the path of Connor Wickham and he scored off his thigh.
The host team extended its advantage after Kyle WalkerPeters handled in the penalty area with Wickham lurking.
Former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend slammed the resulting spot kick straight down the middle in the 34th minute.
Spurs got a penalty of their own 10 minutes later, when Patrick Van Aanholt brought down Juan Foyth, but Kieran Trippier fired well wide to ensure the Eagles took a 20 lead into the break, and then survived a second half dominated by Tottenham.
Chelsea beat Tottenham in a penalty shootout on Friday in the English League Cup semifinals after a 21 victory for the Blues at Stamford Bridge left the sides level 22 on aggregate.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino tried to look on the bright side after the defeat by Palace.
‘‘Of course, disappointed because, after [Friday] and today again, out of two competitions. You feel disappointed. You can’t feel anything different,’’ he said.
‘‘But now we have to be positive. We are still in two competitions, in a good position in the Premier League and the Champions League is a massive motivation for the whole club. ‘‘We have to be strong.’’
The force — of the video assistant referee (VAR) — was with Chelsea against secondtier struggler Sheffield Wednesday.
The host team conceded a firsthalf penalty, which the VAR subsequently overturned, and quickly was awarded a penalty of its own, which VAR confirmed.
Callum HudsonOdoi scored on what could be his final Chelsea appearance and Willian netted twice, the first from the penalty spot.
Onloan striker Gonzalo Higuain made his first appear ance for Chelsea and played 82 minutes after he joined midweek from Juventus.
HudsonOdoi started despite reportedly submitting a transfer request in an effort to force through a move to Bayern Munich before Friday’s transfer deadline and the 18yearold winger netted Chelsea’s second after 64 minutes. — AP