Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted that he "never" told his players to feel ashamed of themselves following their defeat to Manchester City.

The Portuguese coach publicly singled out Daily Mail journalist Neil Ashton during yesterday's post-match press conference after his side's 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

The former Chelsea boss accused Ashton and fellow journalist Martin Samuel of 'attacking' his integrity and "mixing" his words by suggesting that he told his players to feel ashamed following their 6-0 defeat to City on November 24.

Villas-Boas, who spoke directly to Ashton, said in the conference: "I never told that the players should feel ashamed of themselves.

"We, that includes me. We is us. We are everybody at the club. Don't you agree? Why do you think this is any intention to separate myself from it?"

Tottenham are currently ninth in the Premier League table.