Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that Manchester City made it "difficult" for his side to play their own game.

Spurs lost 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in their Premier League clash against the champions despite taking the lead through Steven Caulker in the 21st minute.

"The plan before the game was to try to hold on to the ball a bit more, to have possession and try to connect up and link the wingers," he told Sky Sports News.

"It was difficult because Manchester City's line was very high and they pushed us very well, so it was difficult to make that second pass in the link up play."

Tottenham are currently seventh in the league table with 17 points from 11 matches.