• Premier League

Villas-Boas dismisses Lloris criticism

ESPN staff
November 4, 2013
AVB: Lloris decision my call


Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has denied criticism of his decision not to substitute Hugo Lloris after the goalkeeper was concussed in a challenge with Romelu Lukaku on Sunday.

Lloris was knocked out after copping a knee to the head when he slid in to grab the ball during the 0-0 draw at Goodison Park, forcing a significant stoppage in time.

Villas-Boas has come under fire for allowing Lloris to remain on the pitch, but he insists the Frenchman proved he was well enough to continue playing.

"Hugo still doesn't recall everything about the incident," Villas-Boas said. "I made the call to keep him on the pitch because of the signs he was giving.

"He was determined to continue and looked concentrated, driven and focused enough for me not to make the call to replace him. The saves he did after the incident proved that right."

Spurs have scored just nine goals in 10 games this season, but Villas-Boas is unfazed by the lack of goals given his side currently sit in fourth position.

"The chances are coming and sometimes they go your way and the opponent is not there to stop it," he added. "You can have more goals, less goals. We all want excitement but right now the team is doing extremely well."

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