LONDON (AP) — American goalkeeper Brad Friedel has been dropped from the starting lineup for a Premier League game for the first time in more than eight years for Tottenham’s match Sunday against Aston Villa.
France captain Hugo Lloris was selected ahead of Friedel, bringing an end to the 41-year-old American’s run of 310 consecutive matches in England’s top division stretching back to May 2004.
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas signed Lloris from Lyon for $12.6 million on transfer deadline day in August but kept faith with Friedel for the first part of the season after the former U.S. goalie produced a series of strong performances.
Lloris has had to be content with appearances in the Europa League until now.
