Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas was left frustrated after his side failed to break down a resilient Stoke City team at home yesterday afternoon.

Villas-Boas said afterwards that his players had given it their all but admitted his disappointment in the fact that Arsenal had now moved ahead of Spurs in the Premier League.

"Today was a difficult game," he said. "Stoke are an extremely competitive and physical team who are difficult to break down. [My] players tried really hard.

"No-one enjoys being level on points with Arsenal at this club. I have experienced this rivalry for the first time this year and have spoken very highly about it before.

"It is an extremely healthy competition between both teams, but we have to continue now."

Spurs' next match is away at Aston Villa on Boxing Day.