Even Mauricio Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez had to smile at the fact that, were it not for a rule change, Tottenham Hotspur could be looking forward to a Carabao Cup final.

But away goals no longer count double and Tottenham became the first team to outscore their opponents away from home and still end up as the losers. Some might even describe it as being ‘Spursy’.

Last season, level at 2-2, the tie would have gone to extra-time and Tottenham would have gone through on away goals if they had hung on. But this year it was straight to penalties and Pochettino’s men were out on their feet.

“In the Copa del Rey in Spain, and other competitions in Europe, if you score away from home... and it's 2-2 at the end of 180 minutes, I think the team who scored away from home goes through,” said Pochettino.

“But they changed the rules and now we're out because of penalties. I was joking with Jesus about that. Only I feel proud. I told the players I feel proud. We have unbelievable players and squad, the performance of everyone from the team, and how we play. I can only congratulate them.”