Spurs Spun outta Two Cup Competitions in Four Days

Tottenham's definitely finding out the hard way that there's never a good time to go into battle without Harry Kane.

Trophy season is suddenly two-thirds kaput ...

• Last Thu 24 Jan, Chelsea eliminated them from the Carabao Cup, and now
• Crystal Palace unceremoniously dumped them from the FA Cup with a 2-0 shutout.

All that's left is a crack at the Champions Cup, with a bracket match against Bundesliga-leading BVB Dortmund on Wed 13 Feb.

 

That's one way to put it.

 

That's another.

At Selhurst Park, Spurs were also without Dele Alli due to what's now a long-term hamstring injury. Son Heung-min was still jet lagged after returning from the Asian Cup.

Thus, Tottenham's ranks of elite scorers were severely thin.

 

Spurs 'keeper musta been wondering the same thing on the defensive side.

Palace broke through in the 9th minute when Connor Wickham broke a personal drought, and in the 34th minute, former Spur Andros Townsend did what Tottenham's Kieran Trippier couldn't, ie- score from the spot.

Other than that, Spurs controlled the game, which was of no consolation whatsoever.

 

The ecstatic Eagles now move to the fifth round and a manageable tie with Doncaster Rovers, currently challenging for promotion from League One.

Here's the entire draw:

• Bristol City v Shrewsbury Town or Wolverhampton Wanderers
• AFC Wimbledon v Millwall
• Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace
• Middlesbrough or Newport County v Manchester City

• Chelsea v Manchester United
• Swansea City v Barnet or Brentford
• Portsmouth or Queens Park Rangers v Watford
• Brighton & Hove Albion or West Bromwich Albion v Derby County

Meanwhile, Tottenham's clinging to third spot in the Premiership table ever so tenuously. Dudes can't wait for the missing troops to return.

As to Palace, their entire contingent will be celebrating the way they always do. Hit it, Dave ...