Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino: 'League Cup final preparation was difficult'

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has said that his side's preparation for today's League Cup final wasn't perfect, but that it was always the "reality".

Spurs went down 2-0 to Chelsea just three days after going out of the Europa League to Fiorentina.

Chelsea, meanwhile, had eight days off after their last game in the Premier League against Burnley the previous weekend.

"It's always difficult because in preparing for this final we played on Thursday in Florence," PA quotes Pochettino as saying. "That is not an excuse, but it is the reality.

"But we have to improve. This was the first final for a lot of the players and we are proud.

"This is the first step for this group, because this group is strong, and we showed character and personality."

Spurs' focus will now turn to the league as they chase a top-four place. With 12 games of the season to go, they are six points adrift of the Champions League places with a game in hand.