Mauricio Pochettino has told Chelsea that, with all the experience of their players and manager, they must be the favourites for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

It will be one of the biggest games of the Pochettino era so far, and Spurs go into it in far better form than Antonio Conte’s league leaders. Spurs have won their last seven Premier League games in a row, while Chelsea have lost two of their last four, and the gap between the two sides has shrunk.

Spurs are simply playing much better than Chelsea are at the moment. After Chelsea’s collapse at Old Trafford last Sunday, it would make perfect sense for Tottenham to be favourites. But that is not how Pochettino wanted to frame the match at his Thursday afternoon press conference.

“If there’s a favourite it is Chelsea,” Pochettino said. “They are top of the Premier League, with experienced players and the manager they have.”

Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Show all 23 1 /23 Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Tottenham vs Bournemouth player ratings Who impressed and who struggled at White Hart Lane? Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Hugo Lloris – 6 out of 10 The goalkeeper had a very quiet display today due to lack of Bournemouth action going forward. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Kyle Walker – 6 out of 10 Gave a desirable wide outlet for Spurs, but he tended too take a touch too many and lose possession at times. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Toby Alderweireld – 6 out of 10 It was a relatively straight forward afternoon for the centre back, helped by very little Bournemouth action going forward. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Jan Vertonghen – 6 out of 10 Made a number of crucial clearances and began moves from the back of the Spurs side, which was encouraging to see. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Ben Davies – 5 out of 10 Was wasteful in possession at times, but he managed to get away with it against a Bournemouth side that failed to utilise their possession. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Eric Dier – 6 out of 10 He tackled relentlessly and moved the ball well all afternoon. He had an eye for goal today also, but failed to find the back of the net. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Mousa Dembele – 8 out of 10 Scored his first goal of the season, which was fully deserved following a disciplined and comfortable performance. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Christian Eriksen – 8 out of 10 His deliveries into the box from open play, corners and free kicks provided constant pressure for the Bournemouth defence. Assisted Dembele’s opener. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Dele Alli – 7 out of 10 The youngster was a key element to almost every Spurs move. His ability to read the game allowed to the home side to break down the Bournemouth midfield with ease. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Heung-Min Son – 7 out of 10 He scored the second for Spurs and played emphatically for the remainder. He chased down loose balls, made tremendous off the ball runs and passed immaculately. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Harry Kane – 8 out of 10 His return to the starting line up ignited a tremendous display. He assisted Son’s goal and scored just minutes after the half time interval. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Artur Boruc – 6 out of 10 Despite letting in four goals, the keeper made a handful of important saves to stop this being a whitewash for Spurs. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Adam Smith – 5 out of 10 Cleared the danger on several occasions and tackled well at times, but he failed to maintain the energetic Spurs forwards. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Simon Francis – 3 out of 10 Failed to clear the danger numerous times and his tight marking technique proved hopeless for Kane’s goal. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Steve Cook – 4 out of 10 Made to look inadequate on several occasions today against the Spurs strikers – particularly for Son’s goal to double the scoring. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Charlie Daniels – 4 out of 10 Failed to provide any kind of positive influence on the game. Looked lost at times and continued to be dragged out of his position. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Junior Stanislas – 6 out of 10 His deliveries into the box proved problematic for Spurs and this should have been used a lot more for the visitors. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Harry Arter – 5 out of 10 Battled relentlessly throughout, but his efforts remain unrewarded. He gave it his all, but he failed to provide his strikers any service. AFP/Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Jack Wilshire – 6 out of 10 He used possession well, despite being quickly closed down in the midfield. Subbed after the interval due to injury. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Marc Pugh – 5 out of 10 Lost possession inside of his own half on several occasions, which invited unnecessary pressure on the visitors. A man of his ability should be doing better on these momentous occasions. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Josh King – 6 out of 10 He held the ball up well when he was in possession, but aside from that he failed to make the impact that he has in recent fixtures. Getty Images Tottenham 4 Bournemouth 0 player ratings Benik Afobe – 4 out of 10 Received no service from his side, but that is no excuse for his bizarrely quiet display today. Getty Images

Pochettino pointed to their triumphs in the 2012 Champions League and 2013 Europa League, Antonio Conte’s three Serie A titles with Juventus and even the fact that two of their players, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro, were part of the Spain team that won the 2010 World Cup. It was a celebration of Chelsea’s recent record, but also a reminder of their responsibilities.

“We are talking the team in the last five years won European competitions, World Cups, and a manager who won the title in Italy,” he said. “They’re more experienced. But we’re in a good moment too. We’re hungry and to challenge this team is important for Tottenham. We will see but important to enjoy the game. We must feel the happiness. It’s a very important competition and we are fighting the best team in England.”

But while Pochettino said that Chelsea were favourites at Wembley, he told his Spurs players to make the final mental step, to go from being a good team to a winning one. This is Pochettino’s third season at White Hart Lane in which he has dramatically improved Spurs, into a side regularly in the top four and competing for titles. But now they need to win one.



“It’s nice to say we are ready and we want to win, but it’s not an easy task,” Pochettino said. “It is difficult to win trophies. Three years ago when we signed here it was all about how we can reduce the gap with the top four, that was the main problem Tottenham had. Not only have we reduced the gap but we are fighting for the Premier League, to win titles. That’s the position we wanted and we achieved that.”

So how do Spurs take the next step and reach the FA Cup final? “To win is more difficult,” he said. “First you have to be there and challenge, we have the opportunity to challenge. It’s up to us to step up and make the dream a reality. We must show it’s a final from the first moment, being aggressive and trying to play under our philosophy and mentality and competing. To have the opportunity to play against one of the best teams in Europe, it doesn’t happen often. It’s very exciting.”

The good news for Spurs is that they are currently playing the best football they have yet played under Pochettino. They already have more points than they took last season, and they only need two more from their final six games to reach 73, their highest of the Premier League era. They are playing brilliantly, and Pochettino knows it, which is why him saying that Chelsea are favourites does, ultimately, sound like mind games.