Bale, strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, was absent with a foot injury, but a 50th-minute penalty from 26 million pounds club record signing Soldado meant Spurs did not miss him.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas gave league debuts to Soldado, Paulinho and Nacer Chadli, and his side largely controlled the first half beneath bright summer sunshine at Selhurst Park.u00a0

Roberto Soldado. Pic/Santa Banta