Jermain Defoe has admitted that the performance from Tottenham against Middlesbrough was massively disappointing as the Lilywhites should have dominated the game with the quality they have at their disposal.
Antonio Conte stuck with the same starting eleven that thrashed Leeds United 4-0 at Elland Road on Saturday, thus signalling his intent to ensure the North Londoners progressed into the quarter-finals of the competition.
However, many of Tottenham’s star players fell short at the Riverside Stadium as the Premier League side struggled to impose themselves on the game.
Spurs still had chances to win the match but fluffed their lines while Boro looked dangerous throughout the encounter.
The home side eventually got their reward as Josh Coburn scored the winner in the second half of extra time to send Chris Wilder’s side to the next round.
Defoe admitted that Boro showed a lot more urgency than Tottenham and fully deserved to win the tie.
The former Spurs striker told BBC Sport (01/03/22 at 22:39) after the Championship club’s 1-0 win: “This is massively disappointing from a Tottenham point of view.
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“No disrespect to Middlesbrough, you expect Tottenham to come here and dominate.
“Middlesbrough played with urgency and got stronger and stronger. Their younger players came on and made an impact.”
Spurs Web Opinion
What I found particularly appalling was the fact that we did not change our approach despite struggling to create chances. We should have shown more urgency and pressed Boro high up the pitch in the second half but Conte continued to be cautious and paid for his mistake.
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