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You played well but lost, how do you explain that?

It's difficult to explain. First to congratulate Chelsea and then I think it's important to describe the momentum of the game. After four minutes we conceded a goal. It was the first time that Chelsea go forward for the free-kick. Then I think we played well, we scored and it was 1-1.

Then came the penalty. I did not think it was a penalty. That was at the end of the first half. The team again showed big character and personality to dominate the second half. They played well and it was 2-2.

We were unlucky because from the only corner we'd conceded this afternoon and then they scored and it was 3-2 and it's true the game was different. We tried to change and find some different options to play and then they scored an amazing goal. Nothing to say.

4-2 looks impressive for Chelsea. But I think it's a game that I feel proud of my players. We gave all that we had. Nothing to say. It's true that we lost. That is the way that we want to play. We respect the way that we play, our philosophy. It's certainly a basis for the future. It's not this season for us in the FA Cup.

(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

It's the seventh FA semi-final the club lost, how do you turn that run around?

It's my first semi-final in the cup. I cannot change the past. The past is the past. We need to be in the today, the present, to have a better future. I know that sure that if I am a Tottenham supporter you feel today very disappointed and you always want to win.

But I think the fans know the project and the pressure in the moment. I feel very proud. The players are putting in a fantastic effort. We're building an exciting team. Only time to win. To fight in that moment in that level against Chelsea, one of the big teams in England, it's fantastic, a big thing for us. Two years ago it was difficult to think and to arrive in that level, to wish that we fight for the Premier League.

Now it's a reality. It's important to be clever in how we develop the team, how we build the team over the next few years. Now it is a reality for several seasons that the team is fighting. The time was not today or this season to win the FA Cup, but we will try next season for sure.

Impact on the league for the rest of the season?

It's not important. We will move on. Yes it's true now the players are very disappointed. But tomorrow we will work again on the training ground

We will change again and focus on the next game in the Premier League and Wednesday against Crystal Palace. If you play as you did today you cannot be worried, because I think you will give your best.

Football today doesn't pay what we deserve. But I understand totally that in football you can play well sometimes and not win. But you can only be disappointed for a little bit because tomorrow we will prepare again for the next game and try to close the gap with Chelsea.

(Image: Stephen Pond - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Was the extra experience in the Chelsea team crucial?

I don't believe that. If you see the game again without emotion, you will see that Tottenham played much better. They were clinical, and if you see the first goal and then the second goal was a penalty, the third was from the first corner they had. The fourth was a shot from outside the area

It's true that we are disappointed now. We must move on and try to be calm, try to give support to our players and try to win in the next game.

Were you surprised at Hazard and Costa not starting?

I explained before the game that you never know the reason why the manager took the decision. I think there's nothing to say from me. You will see after that Hazard had some impact, he scored the third goal. To have another player like Costa on the bench always can give you another alternative in the game.

You see the three changes they make, Fabregas, Costa, Hazard, it's not so bad. I feel proud because we played very well with a lot of personality and character against a team that played well. We forced them to play very deeply on the counter attack. But that is football too. It's different from how we try to play. We must congratulate them and now we must try to fight in the Premier League. That is our objective.

Just how difficult was the loss of Ugo Ehiogu this week?

It was Friday and it was a big shock for all. We were on the training ground. It was a big impact,because it was a person who was very close to us.

In that moment you realise it's real life. It's true that we are fighting to play and win games, but it's all relative after that type of situation. One more time I want to send all my condolences to his family and friends. It was a big loss for them and us.