Tottenham boss Antonio Conte has outlined his frustrations after seeing his side lose 1-0 at Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday. Nineteen-year-old substitute Josh Coburn scored the only goal of the game in the second half of extra-time. Spurs’ wait for major silverware goes on, with their last trophy success over 14 years ago.
Tottenham were huge favourites heading into the match and Conte arguably selected his strongest XI possible.
However, Boro were more than deserving of their win and easily could have scored more, particularly in extra-time.
Chris Wilder’s side lacked composure in front of goal before Coburn came up with the goods in the 107th minute.
Matt Crooks fed the teenager in on goal and he fired high and past Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from a tight angle.
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“Your opponent has to understand that the night will be difficult, instead we can do much better and in the end Middlesbrough deserved to go to the next round.
“This is part of our process. I repeat, we have to try to avoid the up and down, up and down and there is only one way to improve the situation is to work and learn about the defeat.
“We have to go ahead and we will try to do our best this season.”
Conte was also asked about his long-term future at the club but was non-committal.
He replied: “We have to give our best for the rest of the season, then we will see what is our position and the evaluation of our season.
“It is early to say something about this.”
Meanwhile, goalscorer Coburn described the night as one of the best moments so far in his fledgling career.
Coburn told the BBC: “Speechless. In front of the Riverside Stadium, cannot get better than that against a Premier League team.
“I hit it as hard as I could and thankfully it went in. Up there with the best (moment of career), just amazing. I can’t put it into words.
“In the training ground, all the lads are buzzing. The fans are getting behind the players too.
“Hopefully we can continue it and get another big team in the next round.”
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