March 1, 2022, was a day to forget for Tottenham Hotspur as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round.
The match, held at the Riverside Stadium, saw Middlesbrough's Josh Coburn score the decisive goal in the 107th minute, securing a spot in the quarter-finals for Chris Wilder's side.
This defeat marks another setback for Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, who had questioned his future just last week following a 1-0 defeat to Burnley in the Premier League.
Conte fielded a full-strength side, but Middlesbrough were good value for the win, with Wilder crediting the fans for creating a passionate atmosphere that gave his team the energy to produce a top performance.
"This defeat has to hurt me, my players, and every one that works in Tottenham," Conte said, acknowledging that his team had lost a big chance.
Meanwhile, Premier League leaders Manchester City and Crystal Palace both advanced to the quarter-finals, with City beating Championship strugglers Peterborough United 2-0 and Palace securing a 2-1 win over second-tier Stoke City.
Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish were on target, with Guardiola praising the finishing of his forwards and Mahrez's quality in the final third.
"We are in the next round, and in the end, the quality of our players made the difference," Guardiola said.
