The 2011–12 season was Tottenham Hotspur's 20th season in the Premier League and 34th successive season in the top division of the English football league system. The campaign featured Tottenham's 10th appearance in the UEFA Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup), entering the Play-off Qualifying round due to finishing fifth in the 2010–11 Premier League season. They reached the group stage by defeating Hearts over two legs, but finished third in their group and therefore didn't make the knockout stages of the tournament. The club entered the League Cup in the third round and were defeated by Stoke City on penalties, as well as the FA Cup where they reached the semi-finals but were defeated 5–1 by Chelsea.