TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR AVOIDED the fate that befell Manchester City by overcoming Cardiff’s Welsh counterparts Swansea City 1-0 at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham were once again without the injured Gareth Bale, who is on the verge of a move to Real Madrid, but they had four new signings in their line-up in Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado.
Swansea coach Michael Laudrup left record signing Wilfried Bony on the bench and the visitors were lucky not to concede a goal amid one-way traffic in the first half.
Paulinho threatened on a number of occasions and Swansea captain Ashley Williams headed the ball against his own post, while Spurs should have been given a penalty shortly before half-time.
Jonjo Shelvey was adjudged to have fouled Andros Townsend, but although the offence appeared to take place inside the Swansea penalty area, referee Neil Swarbrick awarded a free-kick.
However, when the same players came together in the second half, Swarbrick did point to the spot, and Spain striker Soldado kept his cool to convert his second Premier League penalty in two games.
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It was Spurs’ second win of the campaign, following their 1-0 success at Crystal Palace, and took them level with Chelsea and Liverpool at the top of the fledgling standings.