Townsend turns it on as Spurs rout Tbilisi

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIRD QUALIFYING ROUND, FIRST LEG:

Bale sat out last night’s Europa League play-off first leg as he edged closer to a world-record move to Real Madrid.

But Tottenham, often branded a one-man team after Bale’s heroics last term, showed they might not need the Welshman as young Townsend put on an impressive display that Bale would have been proud of.

The 22-year-old scored a superb solo goal to start the rout and he outpaced his marker to supply the assists for Roberto Soldado’s first goal of the night and Paulinho’s maiden strike for the club.

Danny Rose and Soldado’s second completed the rout.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has pulled off a coup by spending most of the cash from Bale’s sale even before it has been confirmed, thus avoiding the inflated costs often quoted to clubs who are known to have lots of money to spend.

Spurs have already spent £60 million on four new signings, and the club have also been holding talks in London with Roma officials over the potential signing of Erik Lamela, the highly-rated Argentina midfielder.

Lamela’s agent flew into the English capital yesterday to join the talks and Tottenham hope to finalise the signing of the player in the next few days.

Doubt has been cast on their pursuit of Anzhi Makhachkala forward Willian, however.

The Brazilian has undergone medical tests at Tottenham ahead of a proposed £30m move, but reports have suggested that Chelsea are now in pole position to sign the 25-year-old.

Villas-Boas said he had no knowledge of Chelsea’s reported interest in the player.

“We were just involved in a game so unfortunately I can’t give you further information,” the 35-year-old said.

The Blues refused to comment on speculation that Willian could be bound for Stamford Bridge.

DINAMO TBILISI: Loria, Khurtsilava, Kvirkvelia, Gvelesiani, Kvaratskhelia, Merebashvilli, Grigalashvili, Glisic (Papava 46), Dzaria (Goga 81), Dvali, Xisco (Vouho 42).

TOTTENHAM: Lloris, Rose, Kaboul, Naughton, Dawson, Paulinho (Carroll 71), Capoue, Townsend, Sigurdsson (Chadli 61), Soldado (Kane 71), Dembele.

Referee: Pol van Boekel (Holland).