Tottenham Hotspur’s dreams of making the FA Cup final were ended on Saturday afternoon as Chelsea prevailed 4-2 in a gripping clash at Wembley.
While the nature of the loss was heart-breaking for the Lilywhites support, the supporters should hold their heads high.
The tactical decision by Mauricio Pochettino to field Son Heung-min at left wing-back has been met with strong views but the truth of the game was that Tottenham were the better side.
Chelsea were forced back into their own half for long periods of the game as Spurs dominated proceedings. Tottenham created more chances, had more possession and showed grit and determination to come from a goal down twice.
On an emotive day at Wembley Chelsea took their chances and rode their luck, but no supporter wearing white will have left the national stadium feeling that Spurs are an inferior side to the current Premier League leaders.
While the defeat is painful to take for players and fans alike, it is another learning curve for a team that continues to grow and develop under Pochettino’s influence.
This will not be the last big occasion that Tottenham fans are treated to – there will be many more over seasons to come both domestically and in Europe.
Spurs played with pride, bravery and enterprise – on another day it could well have been Pochettino’s men booking a place in the final.
Let’s keep our heads up and realise just how far we have come as a football club and remember that this season is an overarching success.