It’s FA Cup semi-final weekend as Tottenham face Manchester United before Chelsea take on Southampton at Wembley for a place in the final.
Here are five talking points as two of the capital’s clubs attempt to take a big step towards winning a trophy this season.
CAN SPURS KEEP ON TRACK FOR SILVERWARE?
Mauricio Pochettino deserves immense credit for the work he has done at the Tottenham helm. The former Argentina international has turned Spurs into one of the most attractive and exciting teams in English football, finishing third and then second in the previous two campaigns. Another top-four finish is on the cards this time, but he is yet to win a trophy in management. “Is it going to change our life? I don’t believe,” Pochettino said this week of winning the FA Cup. “It would be fantastic to finish the season with a trophy. I don’t think it’s about need or not need.” But, sooner or later, the former defender will need a trophy to cement his legacy and take Spurs up a level. This is a great chance.
WILL MOURINHO END THE CAMPAIGN WITHOUT A TROPHY?
Progress is also in evidence at Old Trafford, even though there are not as many people patting Manchester United on the back. The struggles since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 have meant a rebuilding job for Jose Mourinho, whose first season ended with Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield glory. He was the first United manager to win a major trophy in hiis maiden season, although stuttering home sixth in the Premier League took the gloss off things somewhat. This term he is on course for second spot in the league, but the FA Cup is their only hope of silverware having lost the UEFA Super Cup in August before shock exits from the Carabao Cup and Champions League. For a manager and club synonymous with success, getting to the FA Cup final is key.
CAN SAINTS STOP THE ROT?
You would not know Southampton were running out of time to save their Premier League status given their meek, lifeless performance at Leicester on Thursday. Sat in 18th place and with just one Premier League win since November, it was puzzling to see Saints’ lack of urgency as the game ended 0-0. Mark Hughes spoke of apprehension and damaged confidence by way of explanation, just days after folding to semi-final opponents Chelsea in the league. Two goals up and in control, they somehow contrived to lose 3-2 at St Mary’s. Hughes plans to make changes at Wembley and victory could scarcely be timelier in terms of building a modicum of confidence.
MORAT-ARGH
Olivier Giroud is surely a shoo-in to start against Southampton. Not only did he continue his fine record against them with a match-winning brace in last weekend’s league encounter, but he is in far better form than big-money summer signing Alvaro Morata. The Real Madrid striker looked bound for Manchester United until Jose Mourinho’s men swooped for Romelu Lukaku, seeing the Spain international head to Stamford Bridge instead. Morata’s has struggled for the most part and there was no end in sight at Burnley on Thursday. Antonio Conte’s men ran out 2-1 victors at Turf Moor, but the striker fluffed a one-on-one and was clearly irked to be taken off in the 71st minute.
END OF THE ROAD FOR CONTE?
Conte led Chelsea to the title in impressive fashion in his first season in English football. A bundle of energy on the touchline, he was the perfect tonic after a terrible title defence cost Mourinho his job. This year’s defence has been underwhelming, with the west London club on course to miss out on the Champions League – they are five points behind the top-four with just four matches to play. Then there is the continuing, relentless speculation over Conte’s future. It appears a case of when the Italian leaves Stamford Bridge for pastures new, so could losing a semi-final to beleaguered, relegation-bound Southampton prove the final straw? There appears little else to play for.