Five things we learned from Tottenham's FA Cup thrashing of Millwall

Mauricio Pochettino’s faith pays off

Tottenham’s manager had fielded the same XI in the previous three games and there was a strong argument for selecting an unchanged line-up again in this FA Cup quarter-final, especially given that Spurs are only playing once a week at the moment.

However, Pochettino opted to make four changes, bringing Michel Vorm, Kieran Trippier, Harry Winks and Heung-Min Son into the side.

It may have seemed like an unnecessary weakening of the team, and a risk. However, Pochettino has repeatedly stressed the importance of keeping squad men motivated and up to speed – and the four players in question deserved the run-out.

READ MORE: Spurs hit Millwall for six in FA Cup thrashing

Vorm, Trippier, Winks and Son had started each of Spurs’ previous three FA Cup ties and had performed well. Meanwhile, the reserves who had let the side down – Kevin Wimmer, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Josh Onomah, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Vincent Janssen – started on the bench or were omitted from the squad altogether.

Today’s selection was not a display of charity but a show of faith in the four squad men who were most deserving of game time but had been left out of the three previous line-ups.

Indeed, this was a very similar side to the one that Pochettino had selected in the fifth round of the FA Cup, when Spurs triumphed 3-0 at Fulham. The only difference was the change from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-4-2-1 system and, consequently, Eric Dier’s inclusion instead of Christian Eriksen.

Tottenham comfortably won away against a Championship side at Craven Cottage last month, so it seemed reasonable for Pochettino to give the same reserve players that featured that day another run-out at home against a League One outfit this afternoon. They ultimately justified his trust in full.

Harry Kane limps off – but the timing could be worse

Spurs suffered an early blow as their star striker limped off after just six minutes, having hurt his ankle as he was challenged while shooting from a narrow angle.

His injury is certainly a concern. The 23-year-old has been in devastating form, scoring 15 goals in his previous 13 games, and he missed 10 matches earlier this season after suffering ankle ligament damage.

However, if Kane does now spend another spell in the treatment room, the timing could be worse.

Spurs only have one more game – at home against Southampton – before the international break, and Tottenham’s following game is on April 1 at Burnley. He can afford to take a few weeks off.

Pochettino picks the right replacement

The Spurs boss was forced into an early substitution and he once again decided to overlook £17million back-up striker Vincent Janssen, who remained on the bench until the closing stages.

Instead he sent Christian Eriksen into the fray and instructed Son to lead the line.

The Lilywhites initially seemed to lack a focal point and lost some momentum, and it seemed there was a case for introducing Janssen in a bid to offer some extra physicality up front.

But Pochettino’s decision was fully justified as Eriksen scored Spurs’ 31st-minute opener, swivelling and firing into the bottom left corner when the ball dropped in the Millwall box. Then, 10 minutes later, it was Son who doubled Tottenham’s advantage with a fine strike.

The South Korean had endured a mixed first half and there were groans around White Hart Lane when he initially miscontrolled the ball on the right side of the box. However, he cut inside and bent the ball expertly around Tom King – and he went on to add another two goals in the second half, completing his hat-trick.

Son has now scored six goals in four FA Cup matches this season, making him the joint highest scorer in the whole competition – and Eriksen set up his third goal, in addition to one for Dele Alli, who has now scored in his last three games at the Lane.

Janssen gets his big moment in the end

As Spurs ran away with the game, one fan near the press box called for Pochettino to introduce Janssen – and the manager duly obliged, introducing the Dutchman 16 minutes from time.

The 22-year-old’s personal moment of FA Cup magic came just five minutes later as Son attacked the box from the left side and passed to Janssen, who finished first-time into the bottom left corner.

It was his long-awaited first goal from open play for Tottenham, and the home fans celebrated joyously before singing “Vincent Janssen, he scores when he wants”.

The summer signing should actually have doubled his tally soon afterwards as he attacked Jan Vertonghen’s cross six yards out but headed straight at King.

Is this the start of a turnaround or is it too little, too late?

Things are about to get a lot trickier in the FA Cup

This was due to be Tottenham’s final cup match at White Hart Lane, which is scheduled to be demolished at the end of the season.

The 6-0 result will be entered into the history books and Spurs’ fans, manager and players will always be able to enjoy what is written there.

It maintains the club’s remarkable run of results at the Lane – 12 successive victories in all competitions in N17, with 22 goals scored in the last six at an average of 3.7 per match.

Spurs have also continued their record of winning every London derby at the Lane this season, having overcome Crystal Palace, West Ham, Chelsea and now Millwall.

One more remains – against Arsenal at the end of April – while Spurs are also just five games away from ending their last season at the Lane with an unbeaten home record.

Tottenham have now reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in five years, but things are about to get trickier.

They have had a relatively routine run thus far, having played lower-league opponents in each round and enjoyed home advantage in three of the four ties.

But the next clash will be at Wembley, where Tottenham have only won one of their last eight competitive matches – and they will be up against one of their top-six Premier League rivals.

Manchester City and Arsenal have also progressed to the last four, while Chelsea and Manchester United will battle for the remaining spot on Monday.

So much for the FA Cup losing its appeal…

Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs and visit my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BenPearceSpurs/