Danny Murphy criticises Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino for his FA Cup team selection

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Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out of the FA Cup by fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Danny Murphy has criticised Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino for his team selection as his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Pochettino opted to rest midfielder Harry Winks and drop playmaker Christian Eriksen from the squad altogether as goals from Conor Wickham and Andros Townsend ensured their London neighbours exited the competition early [BBC Sport].

Youngster Oliver Skipp started in the number six role for Spurs at Selhurst Park, with Kyle Walker-Peters and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou also selected to start from the off.

Following that defeat, former Premier League player Murphy didn’t hold back in his criticism of Spurs man Pochettino, who will now focus his attention on the Champions League and the Premier League.

“I thought he missed a trick,” Murphy told MOTD live on BBC One on 27/01/2019. “Leaving Winks out, who looks fresh, fit, strong and didn’t need a rest. Eriksen the way he plays isn’t particularly dynamic, you can use his technical ability in a different way.

“He made too many changes against a Palace side that had a point to prove. I think he will look back and think he shouldn’t have – You’re not going to tell me Winks didn’t want to play in the FA Cup!?”

For the second time in a week, Pochettino’s side have been dumped out of a cup competition after their League Cup semi-final penalty shootout defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night

During this period, they have had to do without injured attacking duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli, including versatile attacker Heung-min Son, who was on international duty.

The north London outfit will now turn their attention to the Premier League, with four home games scheduled for Wembley, starting on Wednesday night.

Watford will be the first team to visit, with German giants Bourissa Dortmund making the long trip in February when the Champions League knockout matches get underway.