Andre Villas-Boas blasts ref for Gareth Bale ban

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has blasted Martin Atkinson after he booked Gareth Bale for simulation in this afternoon's match against Sunderland.

Bale picked up his third caution for diving this season in the 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light, which means that he will be suspended for their next game at home to Reading.

Villas-Boas believes that Craig Gardner was guilty of fouling Bale in the penalty area and Atkinson made a mistake in booking the Welshman.

He told Sky Sports News: "It was a big mistake from the referee. I understand that reputations can sometimes be created on the outside through the media or situations on the pitch, but it's a bit unfair.

"If you see the images, Gardner is not even focusing on the ball, he goes in and clips him. It doesn't mar the win but Gareth was one game from being clean from yellow cards and it's extremely unfair that he misses Reading because of such a big mistake.

"It was the same situation with Jermaine Defoe in the first half, so it looks like persecution. We want to take it out of the game, the game here is respectful with fair play, but speed it difficult for referees to analyse. It's a little bit unfair. We lose him for Reading but we'll recover and try to complete a magnificent run in December."

Spurs went third with the win against the Mackems, which came courtesy of two goals in three second-half minutes.