Despite a disappointing start to the season, United have now gone six games without defeat in all competitions following a 3-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho criticised his side following their 2-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday and conceded that they deserved nothing from the game.

Goals by Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy gave the hosts a shock 2-0 victory at St James' Park.

The Magpies, who had been beaten 6-0 at home by Liverpool and 3-0 by north east rivals Sunderland in recent weeks, assured themselves of Premier League football next season following a 2-1 win.

Bale's heroics extended Tottenham's unbeaten run to 10 Premier League games and lifted Andre Villas-Boas's side into third place, although Chelsea will reclaim that position with a win over Wigan later on Saturday.

In order to complete the move, the 23-year-old, who has been capped six times, has reportedly agreed to waive any signing-on fee, which would have amounted to a considerable sum had he waited until the summer to depart.

Prior to the Haidara deal, Newcastle had already signed Montpellier defender Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Mathieu Debuchy and Bordeaux forward Yoan Gouffran.

Kebe, 29, was born in France but has represented Mali at international level. He joined Reading from French club Lens in 2008.

Gouffran, a former France under-21 international, scored 40 goals in 179 appearances for Bordeaux, including a goal against his former club Caen that secured the 2008-09 Ligue 1 title.

Arsenal and AC Milan were also reportedly interested in the centre-back, who made over 200 appearances in six years for Montpellier and broke into the France team last season.