Profligate Spurs irk AVB

Andre Villas-Boas felt his Tottenham side ‘lost control of the game’ in their 1-1 Europa League draw with Panathinaikos.

Spurs dictated proceedings for the majority of Thursday’s clash and wasted a host of chances to add to Michael Dawson’s first-half header, but were made to pay when Spanish striker Toche slid home past Hugo Lloris with 13 minutes left.

And manager Villas-Boas believes there was a visible difference in his side’s performance after the interval, bemoaning the lack of impetus to confirm the win.

The Portuguese told ITV: “I think we felt a little bit strained physically in the second half, and we lost control of the game, control of our possession, and we weren’t so steady with the ball as we were in the first half, and always gave Panathinaikos that feeling that they could get something out of the game.

“It is a pity, obviously, because the game in the first half looked under our control, but I think maybe physically it took its toll in the second half and that’s why we conceded late.”

When quizzed on whether it was a waste of two points, Villas-Boas was unequivocal in his response.

He added: “We wanted to win obviously, I think you score the second and it’s end of story. Obviously we are disappointed with the result, there’s no denying that.”

The result represented a second successive draw for Spurs in the Europa League after their stalemate with Lazio in matchday one, leaving them in third place in Group J.