Friedel's record run ends
Brad Friedel’s record run of 310 consecutive Premier League starts has come to an end today after manager Andre Villas-Boas named Hugo Lloris in Tottenham’s starting line-up for the game against Aston Villa.
Friedel’s place in the Spurs team has been under threat ever since Villas-Boas signed France skipper Lloris from Lyon for £8m on transfer deadline day.
The Spurs boss chose 41-year-old Friedel for the following four games, using Lloris only in the Europa League.
But today he decided to drop Friedel, bringing to an end a hugely impressive run for the American that began in 2004 while he was at Blackburn.
Friedel has been in imperious form for Tottenham this term, with his stand-out performance coming against Norwich last month when he almost single-handedly stopped the Londoners from slipping to defeat.
The American, who has also played for Liverpool, Galatasaray and today’s opponents Villa, conceded two goals against Manchester United last weekend, but neither were disastrous mistakes.
Villas-Boas must have decided that now is the time to see if Lloris has what it takes to cut it in the Premier League.
Lloris’ introduction for Friedel is the only change to Villas-Boas’ side as they looked to register their fourth straight league win.
Villa boss Paul Lambert has kept Darren Bent on the bench despite seeing the former Spurs man rescue a point for the midlands side in their derby against West Brom last week.
Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen, Lennon, Dembele, Sandro, Bale, Defoe, Dempsey.
Subs: Friedel, Huddlestone, Adebayor, Dawson, Sigurdsson, Falque, Townsend.
Aston Villa: Guzan, Bennett, Vlaar, Clark, Lowton, Holman, El Ahmadi, Delph, Albrighton, Benteke, Agbonlahor.
Subs: Given, Bent, N’Zogbia, Westwood, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).
