• Home
  • Live TV
  • Schedule
  • Betting
  • News
  • Log in
  • Sign up now
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy and cookie notice
  • About Us
  • DAZN GROUP
  • NEWS
  • Contact Us
  • DAZN™
Advertisement
Soccer

Thomas Frank ‘hurt’ after FA Cup exit but blames Ollie Watkins for late melee

PA
PA
Published by George Sessions
10, Jan
ShareClose
facebook logoFacebooktwitter logoXwhatsApp logoWhatsApplinkedin logoLinkedinreddit logoReddit
image

Under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was left “hurt” by their FA Cup exit to Aston Villa, but defended his passionate players after a full-time melee and criticised Ollie Watkins.

A spirited second-half rally could not prevent Spurs suffering another early exit in a domestic cup to increase the pressure on Frank, who has lost seven of his last 13 matches after this 2-1 defeat.

Frank had endured a nightmare week after he inadvertently used a coffee cup with the logo of Spurs’ rivals Arsenal on before a 3-2 loss at Bournemouth on Wednesday, and first-half goals by Villa duo Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers denied him a much-needed cup run.

Wilson Odobert reduced the deficit in the 55th minute and Spurs created further second-half chances, but they ultimately lost again to spark more boos for Frank with Villa’s away support poking fun at the Danish coach with chants about him being an Arsenal fan.

Tempers spilled over at full-time after Frank’s old Brentford forward Watkins celebrated in front of Palhinha, who went on to clash with Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa as players from both teams piled in to produce ugly scenes, but Villa progress.

“We are all hurt. There is nothing we want to do more than to get through to the next round no matter who we face. We play at home, we had a good opportunity and unfortunately we couldn’t go through,” Frank said.

v2-image-production-96bc40aa37b69e4017da2dfc2d6414b0Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY4MTY3MTM2-2.83006386
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is feeling the pressure (Andrew Matthews/PA)
N/A

Quizzed on if his players were losing control after they clashed with Tottenham fans away to Bournemouth, Frank said: “I don’t think so.

“I guess you have seen the situation through? I just saw it to be sure I saw what I saw. Of course it’s all about keeping a cool head.

“The players gave everything, everything out there, (but) losing a tight game, season not going perfect and I think Ollie is very provoking.

v2-image-production-9591209e567ce2d9d74324e34fa03f87Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY4MTY3MjE4-2.83006472
Morgan Rogers scored what proved to be the decisive goal for Villa (Andrew Matthews/PA)
N/A

“The way he is going down to celebrate in front of the Villa fans and he is walking into Joao, he can just easily walk around. I think everyone that has been in a competitive nature, that is difficult and can trigger things.

“You need to play with passion and when you play with passion then sometimes you play to the line and sometimes a little bit borderline.

“I see players with big passion that want to do very well for the club.”

v2-image-production-e0cd3dc5bab9307166bc05c1e1990499Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY4MTY3Mjc1-2.83006251
Unai Emery’s Villa are enjoying a superb run of form (Andrew Matthews/PA)
N/A

Unai Emery made six changes after a gruelling schedule for Villa, but they sealed a 13th win in 15 matches.

“After 90 minutes, with our momentum, with their momentum, I think we deserved to win,” Emery saidbefore he decided to praise referee Craig Pawson.

“Of course we must respect the referee, we must respect the competition. Only we were a little bit angry because (Boubacar) Kamara was getting injured with one action with Palhinha, but I think the referee today did a fantastic job.

“Some moments happened, with some players, and I think we can understand in the circumstances it happens on the field.”

SoccerSoccer

Editors' Picks

Boxing

Boxing schedule: Fight dates, TV channel and live stream for confirmed cards

DAZNDAZN
25, May
Boxing schedule: Fight dates, TV channel and live stream for confirmed cards
Boxing

How to subscribe to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV fights included in your plan

DAZNDAZN
22, May
How to subscribe to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV fights included in your plan
Boxing

How much does DAZN cost in the United States? Boxing, Champions League, Serie A and more - Subscription price, payment methods, sports to watch, how to watch

DAZNDAZN
25, May
How much does DAZN cost in the United States? Boxing, Champions League, Serie A and more - Subscription price, payment methods, sports to watch, how to watch
See all news
Related news

Arne Slot says his connection with Liverpool ‘goes beyond football’

PAPA
2 hours ago
Arne Slot says his connection with Liverpool ‘goes beyond football’

Monday’s briefing: Liverpool target Andoni Iraola and Declan Rice raps

PAPA
5 hours ago
Monday’s briefing: Liverpool target Andoni Iraola and Declan Rice raps

World Cup stories: Predicting Canada's starting XI and depth chart v1.0

DAZNDAZN
12 hours ago
World Cup stories: Predicting Canada's starting XI and depth chart v1.0

Extraordinary numbers turn out to celebrate Arsenal’s title-winning success

PAPA
13 hours ago
Extraordinary numbers turn out to celebrate Arsenal’s title-winning success

Andree Jeglertz: Manchester City need to keep this hunger for the next level

PAPA
14 hours ago
Andree Jeglertz: Manchester City need to keep this hunger for the next level