Andros Townsend is determined to keep his feet on the ground after scoring in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-0 away win over Aston Villa.
The winger scored on his England debut against Montenegro last week before also impressing in the decisive World Cup qualifying win over Poland on Tuesday.
He was rewarded with a new four-year contract by Spurs on Friday and set his side on their way to three points at Villa Park when his cross curled inside the post on 31 minutes.
Townsend was not taking any credit for the goal and he is anxious not to get carried away after an unforgettable last couple of weeks.
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Andre Villas-Boas praise Tottenham display
Goals from the in-form Andros Townsend and Roberto Soldado secured the points for Spurs, who had lost 3-0 at home to West Ham United before the international break.
Villas-Boas was pleased with the response from his players, with the result leaving Spurs in fifth position and three points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
"It was difficult in the first minutes," Villas-Boas told Sky Sports. "It was very unpredictable because Villa kept putting some very long balls in behind us, so they kept stretching us.
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Tottenham Hotspur: Jamie Carragher says they won't make top four
They have spent a lot of money and when you do that people start to talk about you in terms of the title, and if they are within touching distance with 10-15 games to go they will have a chance.
But Spurs have slipped out of the top four and the main aim when you do that is to get back in it, rather than looking to immediately win the league, and I don't think they are where Man City, Chelsea and Man United are at the minute.
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AVB plays down Tottenham Premier league title hopes.
The Tottenham head coach, who was speaking at a charity event, has said he is pleased with the players he has brought in but says it is too early to describe his new-look side as genuine title contenders.
Spurs were busy in the summer transfer window, signing seven players for a total outlay approaching £105m - while selling talisman Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for a world record £86m - but Villas-Boas insists there can be no guarantee of instant success.
"The circumstances are difficult," he said. "The investment that we have made raises expectations in people but what we have to do is create a team that bonds together.
"That takes time and we see that our opponents are one step ahead as they have players who have been together for many years; that is an advantage that we don't have.
"I think we have invested a lot in young players that have real potential. Obviously we will have to work with them to make sure they develop into the world stars that we think they can become.
"All of them have great ambition to succeed and win titles which is one of the criteria that we wanted. Now it is about creating a team that bonds together and assumes the responsibility of winning those titles. This is what we have now and hopefully we can get a good response.
"I'm happy with the start we have made, but losing to Arsenal is never easy for any Spurs fan so now we have to make sure we bounce back.
"Whatever result we had against Arsenal that would not affect how we approach our next game against Norwich. We have to concentrate on winning that one.
"It has been a good international break for us. We have not had any injuries so we are looking forward to getting back into action this weekend."
Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen from Ajax.
The 21-year-old is a product of the Dutch club's famed academy, but has elected to take on a new challenge in the Premier League after four seasons and a total of 161 appearances.He becomes Tottenham's seventh signing of the transfer window, with Andre Villas-Boas' side having splashed out ahead of receiving an anticipated €100million windfall from the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.
Eriksen won three Eredivisie titles and one KNVB Cup during his time at Ajax, and kicked off the new campaign with two goals in just four outings.
The midfielder has also been capped on 37 occasions by his country, notching four goals at international level since his debut in February 2010. The length of Eriksen's contract with the White Hart Lane outfit and the size of the transfer fee are yet to be disclosed.
Real Madrid have laid the blame with Tottenham for holding up the transfer of Gareth Bale.
The 24-year-old has rarely been out of the headlines throughout the summer over a possible move to the Spanish giants for a world-record £86m fee.
Bale has failed to report for three days of training this week and has been reported to be "furious" with Spurs over the handling of the situation.
Real remain confident they can finally get their hands on the Welsh star and their disgruntled vice-president Fernando Fernandez Tapias said: "I think it will happen but I cannot make any firm promises.
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Ajax have announced that they have given Tottenham permission to speak to Christian Eriksen.
The highly-rated midfielder has been a target for Andre Villas-Boas throughout the transfer window, and he has increased his interest with Gareth Bale now looking certain to join Real Madrid.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was in Amsterdam on Wednesday to discuss a possible deal for Denmark international Eriksen, who has just one year left on his current contract, and it appears that the talks have progressed well.
"Yes, Levy was here and Eriksen has been given permission to speak to Tottenham," Ajax director of football Marc Overmars told De Telegraaf.
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Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid could happen "very soon"
Villas-Boas said work is ongoing on the contracts, and added: "I'm not sure how long it is going to take. It can happen very, very soon, it could go to the last day (of the transfer window), it could happen in the next two days."
Bale is, according to Sky sources, "furious" with Spurs for delaying his move to Real and failed to report for training on Tuesday and Wednesday.
And whilst Villas-Boas is sympathetic about the delay, he says Bale's behaviour is "not correct" and is considering fining him.
Villas-Boas said: "He is involved in a big transfer move to Real Madrid and in the end if it happens, we wish him all the best - what he left here was great memories. But the fact that he hasn't turned up is not the correct behaviour...
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Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed the club are hoping to sign Vlad Chiriches
Steaua claimed earlier this week that a deal for Chiriches to move to Tottenham was close to being sealed with the Romanian side resigned to losing the highly-rated defender.
Villas-Boas is keen to bolster his defensive options after selling Steven Caulker to Cardiff City and after admitting his interest in Chiriches he joked that they may lose him as they had done when Chelsea stole in to sign Willian from right under their noses.
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Tottenham are close to completing the signing of Brazil international Willian for a club-record £30m
The Anzhi Makachkala midfielder is undergoing a medical in London ahead of his proposed move, which would make him Spurs' third record signing this summer after deals of £17m and £26m for Paulinho and Roberto Soldado.
Willian had been linked with a move to Liverpool but appears to have been lured by the guarantee of European football at White Hart Lane this season.
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[Match Report]: CRYSTAL PALACE 0 - 1 TOTTENHAM
As well
as Soldado, the Spurs head coach named two of his other new signings - Nacer
Chadli and Paulinho - in the starting line-up while Etienne Capoue had to
settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench. Marouane Chamakh, signed from
Arsenal a week ago, was not deemed fit enough to start by Palace manager Ian
Holloway so was named of the bench with new signings Dwight Gayle and Stephen
Dobbie given the job of leading the line alongside Aaron Wilbraham.
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Tottenham agree a deal with QPR for Scott Parker
QPR boss Harry Redknapp has aired his optimism regarding a deal for the England international, with an agreement to bring the 32-year-old to Loftus Road believed to be close.
It is understood that he is poised to undergo a medical with the Championship promotion hopefuls, which would leave him on the verge of a summer switch.
QPR are, however, aware that they are not the only side to have expressed an interest in Parker's services.
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Tottenham in talks with Toulouse over midfielder Etienne Capoue
Tottenham are in talks with Toulouse over the signing of midfielder Etienne Capoue, Sky sources understand.
The France international, a defensive midfielder who can also play at the back, has been attracting interest from Cardiff, who had an £8.6m bid for him accepted only for the deal to fall through.
Spanish side Atletico Madrid have also expressed an interest but Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas looks to have stolen a march on them, with Toulouse president Olivier Sadran suggesting the player could be on his way to White Hart Lane.
Capoue scored seven goals in 34 league appearances for Toulouse last season and would be Spurs' fourth signing of the summer if the deal goes through.
Brazilian playmaker Paulinho, Belgian winger Nacer Chadli and Spain striker Roberto Soldado have already moved to north London.
But it is the future of an existing Totenham player that continues to make the headlines, as Gareth Bale continues to be heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti refuses to talk about the bid to sign Gareth Bale
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has refused to answer questions about the club's ongoing pursuit of Gareth Bale for fear of further upsetting Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas.
Ancelotti, whose side are in Miami ahead of Wednesday night's clash with Chelsea in the final of the Guinness International Champions Cup, refused to talk about Real's attempts to sign Bale in a world-record fee from Tottenham.
Ancelotti's decision not to discuss the issue comes after he irked Spurs coach Andre Villas-Boas by declaring in a press conference last week that his side were "negotiating and trying to find a solution to the situation" with regards to the Wales international.
"I won't speak about Bale, because I have already angered him (Villas-Boas) and I don't want to anger another coach," the Real boss said.
"I won't speak about Bale, because I have already angered him (Villas-Boas) and I don't want to anger another coach."
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti
"I didn't say anything in particular and I prefer not to talk about this."
Tottenham director Sir Keith Mills has acknowledged the club would find it "very difficult" to keep Bale if he wants to move to Spain, even though he signed a new four-year contract only last summer.
Villas-Boas has said the 24-year-old is not for sale, but Spurs recognise any attempts to keep Bale against his will would be futile with Real attempting to push through a deal in excess of £80million.
Mills told the Evening Standard: "We very much want Bale to stay.
"If a player is desperate to leave, it's very difficult to force him to stay.
"We've seen it in other clubs. Even if he has a contract, you can't force somebody to play for you."
AVB Reiterates that Gareth Bale is not for Sale!
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas says Gareth Bale is not for sale and feels Carlo Ancelotti was wrong to go public with his desire to sign Gareth Bale.
The Bale saga has dominated the summer headlines, and although the Spurs boss insists no move is imminent, he was again forced to answer questions about the Welshman's future after their 5-2 friendly defeat by Monaco.
Bale was not involved in that match because of injury but Real are keen to wrap up a possible world-record deal for the 24-year-old before the start of the season and Ancelotti revealed talks were underway earlier in the week.
"These rumours of an imminent transfer are not true. The only thing we have communicated with Real Madrid is that he is our player and he is not for sale.
"Gareth is a guy I really like. We are talking with Real Madrid because there is respect between the two clubs following the transfer last season of Luka Modric.
"We are building a great team for next season. We envisage the future with Gareth. But we know that in football anything is possible."
"These rumours of an imminent transfer are not true. The only thing we have communicated with Real Madrid is that he is our player and he is not for sale."
Andre Villas-Boas
Andre Villas-Boas
When asked if he felt Ancelotti was in the wrong, Villas-Boas said: "I think so, in my opinion.
"Carlo is a person I appreciate a lot and we have great respect for each other, but bearing in mind this situation they have decided to make it public.
"Normally in situations like this it is scrutinised by the Football Association with lots of care and attention. We have seen lots of people speak about a player that is not theirs and we are due some respect."
Tottenham Complete Roberto Soldado Signing, Medicals Remain
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Tottenham have reached an agreement with Valencia for the transfer of Roberto Soldado, subject to a medical.
The Spain international scored 30 goals in 46 La Liga appearances last season and will become Tottenham's record signing, with the fee believed to be around £26million.
Soldado will be Andre Villas-Boas' third addition of the summer, following on the heels of £17million Corinthians midfielder Paulinho and winger Nacer Chadli from FC Twente.
The 28-year-old started his career at Real Madrid but he made only 16 first-team appearances, spending a season on loan at Osasuna before being sold to Getafe in 2008.
He moved to Valencia in 2010 and netted 80 goals in 146 appearances for the club.
He made his Spain debut six years ago and scored six times in 11 appearances while he was part of the squad at June's Confederations Cup, where his country lost out to Brazil in the final.
Tottenham had previously been linked with Belgium striker Christian Benteke before he elected to sign a new contract with Aston Villa.
Gareth Bale confirms desire to leave Tottenham for Real Madrid
Gareth Bale has left Tottenham's training ground for the day after telling Andre Villas-Boas he wants to join Real Madrid.
Spurs are yet to comment on the world record bid of more than £85m lodged by Real several days ago and have not wavered publicly on their stance that the player is not for sale.
In the meantime, Bale spent around five hours at the club's north London training centre on Tuesday and underwent treatment on a muscle injury, departing shortly after 2pm.
And, according to Sky sources, the 24-year-old took the opportunity while there to reiterate his desire to leave for Spain.
Villas-Boas said at the weekend he was hopeful of having Bale fit for a friendly against Monaco this Saturday, but the concern now for Tottenham supporters is whether last season's double Player of the Year will be around for the start of the new season.
One former Spurs player, Jamie Redknapp, told Sky Sports' Football Season Preview show he believes it is now inevitable Bale will leave for Madrid, saying the club "always sells at the right price."
And Real's charm offensive continued on Tuesday when Sergio Ramos joined club captain Iker Casillas and director Zinedine Zidane in talking up a move.
Real's offer is understood to be for cash despite reports suggesting former Spurs midfielder Luka Modric, now at the Bernabeu, might form part of any deal.
Watching from the sidelines are Bale's former club Southampton, who are in line to pocket 2.5% of any transfer fee.
But that pales in comparison to the 15% sell-on they are believed to have agreed at the time of his 2007 move to White Hart Lane.
Southampton waived that clause at a time when they were in financial difficulty, instead receiving around £1.5m and goalkeeper Tommy Forecast, and now stand to earn just £2m as opposed to £13m if Real sign Bale.
Crazy: Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid won't give up on Gareth Bale
Zinedine Zidane says Tottenham should let him speak to Gareth Bale and insists Real Madrid will not give up the chase.
The Spanish giants are ready to break the world-record transfer fee for Spurs' Welsh winger.
Real are already understood to have tabled an £85million offer for Bale and could go even higher, although White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy appears determined to hang onto his star man.
However, Real legend and director of football Zidane believes unsettled Bale should be given the opportunity to discuss a possible move.
"If he's expressed a desire to join Madrid, then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us."
Zinedine Zidane
Zinedine Zidane
Speaking from the US, where Real are preparing for Friday's friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy, Zidane said: "If he's expressed a desire to join Madrid, then Tottenham should give him permission to speak with us.
"The chance to play for Real Madrid might only come around once in a player's lifetime - and it's understandable Gareth doesn't want to miss out on it."
Bale is due to report back at Tottenham on Wednesday, although a muscle injury means he is unlikely to train and will probably not be involved in the weekend friendly against Monaco.
The 24-year-old is said to be frustrated by Levy's stance on the pursuit by Real, and Zidane added: "It's not unusual when a player knows that Real Madrid are interested in them, that they get excited.
"There is nothing more prestigious for a player to wear than the white of Real Madrid."
'Modern football'
Carlo Ancelotti's side have already spent an estimated €70million (£61million) this summer signing Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Dani Carvajal and Casemiro, but Zidane says the club is not put off by the numbers involved in any possible deal for Bale.
"This is modern football. You have to pay to get the best players in Europe," said the Frenchman.
"Last season, Gareth was on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The best players can have not so great games but change a game with a moment of brilliance.
"Those are the sort of players that win you Champions League and league titles."
Zidane also believes Bale can improve his game at the Bernabeu.
"He is already one of the finest players in Europe and he has everything needed to become the best player in the world," he added.
"It's a bit of a cliche but it's true - you become a better player playing with better players."
Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos has adopted a more ambiguous tone with regards to the possibility of Real signing Bale.
"I think that the price of the player is dictated by the market," said Ramos.
"It's not my job to decide whether we should sign Bale or someone else. It's important for Madrid to have a large number of young players and Spanish players in the team. The mix of youth and experience makes for a good project. The president and the other directors will decide whether or not we sign Bale, not me."
Besiktas tracking down Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor as possible signing
Besiktas remain keen on signing Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor if they can escape a ban for alleged match-fixing.
Adebayor's future at Tottenham has been the subject of intense speculation all summer with Spurs thought to be in the market for striking reinforcements.
Besiktas have confirmed their interest in Adebayor, but fear a ban from European competition will scupper their chances of landing the former Arsenal and Manchester City man.
Besiktas face a ban from the 2013-14 Europa League for alleged involvement in match fixing, but they have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and are confident of getting the decision overturned.
If the club are successful in their appeal Besiktas president, Fikret Orman, has revealed he is ready to fly to London to tie up a deal for Adebayor.
"We are interested in Adebayor, the transfer could still go ahead," Orman is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.
"The deal breaker for Adebayor was whether we would play in Europe this season, as soon as we are cleared I will travel to London and complete the deal."
Gareth Bale returns to UK with Tottenham despite debates on his future.
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Gareth Bale has flown back to London with the rest of the Tottenham squad amid widespread reports still linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The 24-year-old missed their Asia Cup friendlies in Hong Kong due to a muscle strain but that has not stopped him being the centre of attention off the pitch.
Reports in the Spanish press - most notably in sports daily Marca - claim Bale wants to join Real and that their president Florentino Perez has sanctioned a bid in excess of £80m.
Tottenham have refused to comment on the speculation but manager Andre Villas Boas revealed on the Friday that the club and Bale's agent are in 'ongoing' talks about a new contract.
Real have arrived in Los Angeles for their tour of the United States along with Perez, who has broken the world transfer record three times whilst in charge at the Bernabeu.
He signed Luis Figo for £37m from arch-rivals Barcelona in 2000, bought Zinedine Zidane for £46m a year later and then set the current record of £80m with the capture of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United in 2009.
Real Madrid play LA Galaxy in their first game in the International Champions Cup on Thursday and will then face either Everton or Juventus.
Meanwhile, Bale is for the first time this summer odds-on with Sky Bet to leave Spurs.
Sky Bet have been forced to cut the odds on the Welsh star moving to Real Madrid from 5/2 to 1/2 due to a run of significant bets.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a phenomenal campaign last season, netting 21 times in the Premier League and winning both the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards along with the PFA Young Player of the Year.
Despite Bale's contribution, Spurs were unable to secure a top-four place in the Premier League, meaning they are unable to offer their prized asset UEFA Champions League football.
The change in betting odds is in contrast to news coming out of White Hart Lane, with Tottenham insisting Bale is not for sale and talks over a new contract are taking place.
Sky Bet Football Trader Chris Spicer said: "The majority of bets throughout the summer have been on Bale remaining at Tottenham, but we've seen a sudden shift in interest in him leaving and we now offer 7/4 on him staying at Spurs.
"Reports suggest that Real Madrid have now made their move and that Bale is unhappy that it has been swiftly rebuffed.
"Our punters now seem convinced Real will get their man and Spurs will have to settle for their sizeable compensation."
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