Bale hits back at simulation booking

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale has denied allegations of diving.

Bale picked up a yellow card for simulation once again in the 2-1 victory against Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Wednesday when he was booked by referee Phil Dowd after a challenge from Daniel Agger.

The Welshman was instrumental in Spurs’ success, putting the opener on a plate for Aaron Lennon before adding the second himself with a sumptuous free kick.

He did, however, put it into his own net in unfortunate circumstances after Lennon’s attempted goal-line clearance inadvertantly thumped the 23-year-old flush in the face and flew in.

“I thought I got clipped a little bit,” Bale told Sky Sports as he defended the caution.

“Sometimes it happens. You have just got to get on with it.”

Spurs had previously suffered three successive defeats before the weekend win over West Ham and, following back-to-back victories, Andre Villas-Boas’ side are now sit fifth above Everton and north London rivals Arsenal.

“We are not too far off (where we want to be),” Bale said.

“There were good results elsewhere for us tonight, which was important.

“We have just got to focus on ourselves, focus on game by game, and I think we are improving in every game.”