No excuses from ace Smalling

Published Mar. 22, 2010 7:11 a.m. ET

foxsports

Roy Hodgson's men lost to Manchester City at Craven Cottage, three days after their famous Europa League victory over Juventus - and next up is the FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham on Wednesday. "We won't be using that as a reason (for losing to City,) because this team is used to playing two games in a week," Smalling said. "I certainly don't think that City were any fitter, quicker or stronger. "We were the better team in the second-half, which was a lot more positive and having had a lot of possession and a few chances, we gave it a good go but just fell a little short. It was one of those days where it just didn't happen."