Dier: Tottenham’s cup exit feels even worse because it was against Arsenal

Eric Dier is disappointed Tottenham will be unable to repeat last season’s run to the Capital One Cup final – and he admits last night’s early elimination is even more painful because it came against arch-rivals Arsenal.

Dier played throughout the 2-0 cup final defeat to Chelsea on March 1 and, like the rest of his team-mates, was keen to return to Wembley and lift the trophy this term.

But a goal in each half from Mathieu Flamini, sandwiching an own goal from Arsenal defender Calum Chambers, meant the Gunners triumphed 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening as Spurs fell at the first hurdle.

Dier said: “We did well in this competition last year and we said before the game that we wanted to go one step further, so it’s disappointing - and it’s obviously more disappointing being against Arsenal.

“The atmosphere’s always great [in these derbies] and especially being at night I think it adds a bit extra. The fans were brilliant and it’s just disappointing not to get the win for them.

“We played well and were unlucky to come away with nothing. We got ourselves back into the game at 1-1 and it was disappointing to concede that goal late on. When we got the equaliser the crowd really got behind us and we were pushing.

“It was a bit of a low blow to let that goal in. It was disappointing, a bit of a sloppy goal – a good goal on Flamini’s part but it halted us.”

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