Soldado keeps Spurs firing

Tottenham 1 Swansea 0

Bale was in Madrid yesterday while his current team-mates were recording a second successive single-goal victory, secured courtesy of a Soldado penalty. The Welshman’s lingering presence at White Hart Lane continues to overshadow Spurs’ first steps in the new season and while Andre Villas-Boas again played his cards close to his chest, he gave a clear sign he expects the saga to be over soon.

“There is interest from Real Madrid. Whether the transfer will happen or not, hopefully you will have more news in the next couple of days but at the moment there is nothing I can tell you,” said the manager.