Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas insists Gareth Bale is no serial diver.

The Spurs manager insists the label was unfair as the 23-year-old's blistering pace means he is conscious of avoiding 'potentially career-threatening injuries' that could result from a bad tackle.

"It's a tag that if he has gained it is unfair," said Villas-Boas. "But it doesn't bother him in any way shape or form so we keep doing our job.

"He has had potentially-career threatening injuries and sometimes for the pace that he goes at it looks like a dive from the player when he is actually protecting himself. He told me that.

"He avoids opponents' tackles (and with) the pace that he approaches challenges it's very difficult for referees to judge. It's the speed of the way he travels and his actions."