Villas-Boas angry at Adam

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has criticised Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam for a ‘nasty’ challenge on Gareth Bale.

The English Premier League clubs played out an uneventful goalless draw in the United States, but one moment of incident saw Adam bring down Bale after 18 minutes with a challenge that saw the Welshman withdrawn at half-time.

Bale suffered ruptured knee ligaments after a reckless tackle from Adam in 2010/11 and now Villas-Boas has voiced his anger at the Scotland international’s actions.

“I think it is a very nasty challenge from Charlie,” he said after the game.

“The player is gone and he comes in from behind on Gareth’s ankle. I did not know the previous history between the two, but I do now.

“It is a difficult one to be fair. You do not want to end up in a game with Liverpool with 10 men. Charlie came to me and said something about the challenge.

“I can accept that but I think he should go to the player to say sorry, because if the player escapes hospital it is because he is very lucky.

“The last time (Adam fouled Bale) he was out for three months, and in the end it’s the Premier League that suffers without a player of Bale’s talent.

“I can never doubt Charlie’s integrity but it is a very, very nasty challenge. (Bale) is not OK. He is so-so. It is extremely painful and twisted, his ankle.”