Published: 27 February, 2013
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane

Premier League
WEST HAM 2, SPURS 3

IN a season where the majestic has become almost commonplace for Gareth Bale, the Welsh winger grabbed the headlines again with a superb double at West Ham on Monday that took Spurs into third ahead of Sunday's north London derby against rivals Arsenal.

His manager, Andre Villas-Boas, who was enveloped in a bear hug by the match-winner after striking his decisive, 90th-minute goal, said the 23-year-old simply kept going until the very last kick.

“He is unbelievable,” said a breathless AVB in the post-match press conference, his cheeks flushed from the excitement of a compelling London derby.

“He is a super talent and to see him keep on trying until the last minute exemplifies the talent he is. He is at a tremendous level this season and it is obvious to all he is enjoying his football.”

And the manager warned Tottenham's rivals for a Champions League berth that there was more to come from the player of the season elect.

“Gareth has the motivation to ensure things will only get better,” said Villas-Boas.

And it took a bit of Bale magic to hoist Spurs into third place, above Chelsea. After a frantic opening 10 minutes there West Ham set out their long-ball stall, Spurs showed their class and cut open their hosts with a concise move that saw Bale sidestep a challenge on the edge of the box and fire home with his favoured left foot.

But Tottenham's superiority when the ball was on the floor meant little for a spell as Sam Allardyce's team pumped it forward for the head of Andy Carroll with monotonous regularity. On 25, in the midst of a penalty-box scramble, Scott Parker lunged at Carroll and referee Howard Webb had no hesitation pointing to the spot. Carroll duly converted.

More goals seemed likely, such was the speed of the match, and as the game approached the hour mark, the excellent Joe Cole broke clear after Spurs substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson had struck a post with a super long-range effort to give the Hammers a 2-1 lead.

But this Tottenham side has resilience. A series of stunning saves by Hammers keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen from close-range headers by Caulker and Adebayor and then a drive from Bale suggested that the push for third may stutter – until a free-kick was spun into the six-yard box and Sigurdsson forced it home from two yards.

Then, as Spurs fans began to think this was a point gained rather than two lost, the man of the moment dummied his way into space and, with a wave of his magical left foot, sent an unstoppable shot into the top corner from distance.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

WE are so used to a disappointing spring, a season when the good work of autumn and winter gives way to a slide down the table, that when there's the chance to go third as March approaches, Spurs fans have a fatalism about them that expects the worst to happen.

While there are still 10 games and 30 points left to play for, no one is counting any Cockerels just yet: but when you are 2-1 down against determined London rivals, the fingers were crossed for a draw at best.

But this is without taking into account the true magic in the feet of Gareth Bale. With the winger in such incredible form, a game is never lost. He proved that again.

While he was the stand-out hero, there were others who played there part. Club captain Michael Dawson showed why the breakdown of his proposed £9m summer sale to QPR was perhaps the transfer deal of the summer for Spurs. He went toe-to-toe with Andy Carroll throughout, and with Allardyce's West Ham playing a frenetic long-ball game, Dawson provided an inspirational rock.

West Ham played their part in this drama: they made up for their lack of sparkle with sheer effort, and if Bale hadn't decided to score one of the best goals this season will see, Jaaskelainen would have been given man of the match. A couple of his saves reminded of Gordon Banks' effort against Pele in the 1970 World Cup. Bobby Moore, remembered at the match on the 20th anniversary of his untimely passing, would have recognised them as such.