Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has defended his treatment of Romelu Lukaku while manager of Chelsea.

Lukaku, 19, scored on his Premier League debut for West Bromwich Albion in their 3-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday.

And Villas-Boas said: "The decision that Lukaku departed was not mine so I've nothing to say about it.

"He is obviously a player with tremendous talent that competed last year against two of the world's best players.

"Lukaku had frustrations that you can understand.

"It's up to him to compete and, when you are up against Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba, the job is difficult.

"He's ready for the Premier League. It's just that he didn't have enough time on the pitch last year."