• Pre-season friendlies

Spurs show off new signings in draw

Roberto Soldado scored on his debut for Tottenham © Getty Images

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Roberto Soldado and Paulinho impressed on their debuts for Tottenham but Gareth Bale was still absent as Spurs concluded their pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Espanyol on Saturday.

Soldado put the home side ahead from the penalty spot, but David Lopez equalised just before half-time with a powerful header.

Bale, the subject of a summer-long pursuit by Real Madrid, was not at White Hart Lane, officially excluded from the squad because of a foot injury - although he is expected to report for international duty with Wales on Sunday.

Even without Bale, Tottenham have reason for optimism, with summer signing Nacer Chadli looking sprightly and long-term injury victims Younes Kaboul and Sandro both featuring.

After being paraded in front of a capacity crowd at White Hart Lane, Tottenham's three new signings impressed early on.

Paulinho thought he had given Tottenham the lead with a glancing header from Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick, but the effort was ruled out for offside even though replays showed he was level.

Soldado then went close with a header from Sigurdsson's cross before the pressure paid off just before the half-hour when Javi Lopez tripped Danny Rose in the box and Soldado beat Kika Casilla from the spot.

Espanyol were struggling to get in to the game but they stunned the home side by equalising on the stroke of half-time.

Lopez coasted to the near post to get between Soldado and Sigurdsson before thumping a header past Hugo Lloris.

Kaboul, who missed nearly all of last season with a knee injury, came on to a warm welcome at the break and he almost scored with a bullet header.

Rose had to come off near the end with a head injury after an aerial challenge with Christian Stuani.

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