Pochettino: It’s easy to talk about winning trophies

Matt Stead

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that it is hard to accept his side’s 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United.

Ander Herrera has United dreaming of FA Cup glory after Pochettino’s Tottenham again suffered semi-final sorrow.

This was a mouth-watering, season-defining clash for both clubs as a manager driven by silverware faced one driven by progress at Spurs’ temporary home.

And it was relentless winner Mourinho who emerged victorious at Wembley, where Alexis Sanchez cancelled out Dele Alli’s opener before Herrera secured a 2-1 triumph as Tottenham failed to progress from a record eighth successive FA Cup semi-final.

“I think every defeat is bad. It’s difficult to accept but of course we are disappointed we are out and cannot achieve the final,” Pochettino told BBC Sport.

“We competed but not enough to win. We dominated the first half and were much better than Manchester United.

“United defended very well and so deep. We are disappointed because we are so close. We need to think, move on, finish the season and try to finish in the top four.

“I think we need to understand where we have come from. It’s easy to talk about winning trophies.

“To win a trophy when you face a side like Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City is not easy. But the most important thing is we are able to compete.”