91Èȱ¬

Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado can only get better, according to his manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Spain striker , external in the summer and scored a penalty against Crystal Palace on his league debut.

Soldado, 28, netted 24 goals in 35 appearances for Valencia last season.

Villas-Boas said: "Roberto's a real out and out striker. He's not been here a lot because of the Confederations Cup but he'll get fitter and sharper and will be even better."

The Tottenham manager was pleased with his team's performance against newly promoted Palace, especially as all four of his summer signings - Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and substitute Etienne Capoue - each had a run-out.

He added: "It's very important to open with a win. Palace are a team we don't have so much information about and there is always a surprise factor.

"It was a tough game but, in 90 minutes, we deserved to win. We always had that edge.

"Overall, our football was excellent and our new signings did well. They were surprised at the intensity of the Premier League.

"We should have put the game to bed but I'm generally very pleased to come to a difficult ground and get the three points."

Tottenham's players conceded they should have scored another goal.

Defender Jan Vertonghen said: "We should have killed the game earlier but three points is a good start. Last season, it was always 1-0 or 2-1. Next time we have to score more goals."

Debutant Chadli, who joined from Twente for £7m in the summer, added: "The most important thing is the three points. The pace is quicker than in Holland but I like how we play, getting the ball forward quickly."