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Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas said his side need to be "ashamed" after a 6-0 defeat at Manchester City.

Spurs went behind after just 14 seconds and went on to suffer their heaviest league defeat since a 7-1 loss to Newcastle in December 1996.

The loss also left Tottenham ninth in the Premier League table and eight points behind leaders Arsenal.

"We have to be ashamed of ourselves, and react to a defeat like this," said Villas-Boas.

An error from keeper Hugo Lloris led to Jesus Navas's opener within the first minute and an own goal from Sandro as well as a Sergio Aguero effort left Spurs trailing 3-0 at the break.

Tottenham struggled to contain City, with Aguero, Negredo and Navas each scoring in the second half as Villas-Boas's side let in the same amount of goals as they had done in their previous 11 league games so far this season.

"It was a difficult start for us," said Villas-Boas. "After that, everything you had in mind goes down the drain.

"There are not a lot of positives. We had a good spell of reaction after we suffered the early goals, but everything happened so quickly.

"Our only chance came in the first half. If it goes to 1-1 it is a different game."

He added: "There is an immediate shock after 15 seconds.

"The concentration was not there, but the reaction of the players was positive. Everything went wrong for us, every opportunity was a goal and we paid a heavy price, too much for what we deserved.

"City were excellent, and we were extremely poor."

Tottenham have just one point from their last three games and their next game is against Tromso in the Europa League on Thursday.

Villas-Boas said: "My responsibility is to lift the players, there is always another game coming. We have to give a response in the Europa League."