Chelsea are favourites to win this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final despite their recent stutter and Tottenham Hotspur’s irresistible form, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino insists.
Tomorrow’s clash at Wembley creates a diversion from the duo’s Premier League title race, which has burst to life after Tottenham sliced Chelsea’s lead to four points with six games remaining.
While Antonio Conte’s Chelsea side, who were 13 points clear a few weeks ago, have looked vulnerable in defeats by Crystal Palace and Manchester United, Tottenham have built up a head of steam with seven consecutive league wins.
“I think if there is one favourite it’s Chelsea because they are top of the table, because of the experienced players and the manager that they have,” Pochettino, whose Tottenham side lost the 2015 League Cup final to Chelsea, told reporters yesterday.
“We are talking about one of the best teams in Europe. Players that in the past five years have won European competitions and World Cups, a manager who won the league in Italy. They are more experienced than us.
“But we are in a good moment, too, and we are hungry to challenge this type of team. We are happy to fight with the best team in England for the Premier League and (FA) Cup.”
Former Espanyol and Southampton manager Pochettino, in his third season in north London, is yet to win any silverware with Tottenham but if trophies were awarded for progress the Argentine would be ahead of his rivals. 
Since the start of last season they have won 141 Premier League points — 11 more than the second-best team, Manchester City, and 16 more than Chelsea. A late collapse last season meant they finished third despite being the only club to push Leicester City for the title, and they are poised to improve on that.
“I remember three years ago when we signed here I remember the first few press conferences and I was asked how we can reduce the gap to the top four,” he said. “That was the main problem that Tottenham had. Now after three years not only have we reduced the gap to the top four we are fighting for the Premier League and to win titles.
“With six games to go we have 71 points. Last season we finished with 70. We have improved — that is a reality. The team is playing in a good way, exciting football, scoring goals and not conceding too many chances.
“We have great momentum and that is the most important because that can change very quickly.”
Pochettino said he was especially proud of his work despite the greater spending power of the clubs around them.
“It’s a big thing that people include Tottenham in the same level as United, Chelsea, City, Arsenal and Liverpool,” he said.
“It means a lot because we are in a very different project. Today, to beat Tottenham is a big, big challenge for everyone, which is good news for us.”
Former England midfielder Ugo Ehiogu was rushed to hospital after collapsing at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground, the club confirmed. 
The 44-year-old, who works as Tottenham’s under-23s coach, was treated by medical staff before being taken away by ambulance.
“We can confirm that Ugo Ehiogu is currently in hospital after collapsing at our training centre earlier today,” the Premier League club said in a statement.
“He received immediate treatment on site from our medical staff before being transferred to hospital by ambulance.”

Clement eyes Terry move if Swansea survive
Swansea City manager Paul Clement says he is interested in signing John Terry when the veteran central defender leaves Chelsea this summer, providing his struggling side avoid relegation from the Premier League. Clement worked with Terry during his time as an assistant coach under then Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti in the 2009-10 season. 
With Terry announcing he will end his long association with Chelsea at the end of the season in a bid to find regular first-team action, Clement admitted yesterday he would love to bring the 36-year-old to south Wales. But Clement accepts the only chance Swansea have of signing Terry is if they climb out of the relegation zone. 
“If we stay up why wouldn’t we be interested?” asked Clement, whose team are two points from safety with five games left. I know John very well as a player and a person and I would be more than happy to speak to him. When the season finishes we can have those discussions about our own players and potential targets. But having worked with John, I know what a fantastic player he is and what a career he has had.  He has unbelievable talent and he is a fantastic leader — one of a dying breed of leaders. He has represented that club so well over so many years in a time when players are too quick to move on and go from club to club.”