November 2 – The relief and joy were palpable. Seven years after his then world record move to Real Madrid, Gareth Bale has become Tottenham Hotspur’s match-winner once again.
Bale, who recently rejoined the London club, came off the bench to head the winner for Tottenham in a 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday, his first goal since returning to the club.
The on-loan Welshman has yet to start in the Premier League for Spurs as he works his way back to full match fitness.
“A bit of relief and a lot of happiness,” said Bale said after being set up by Sergio Reguilon, who also moved from Real Madrid in September. “It’s an incredible feeling, personally. Obviously you wish the fans were here to be able to celebrate.”
Bale’s winner took Spurs up to second in the Premier League in what was their first home league win of the season.
Bale was a four-time Champions League winner with Madrid who were also once managed by current Spurs boss Jose Mourinho. The deteriorating relationship both of them had with Real is well chronicled and Mourinho could not resist a dig at the club.
“When I have five minutes I am going … to look at Madrid’s websites to see what they say,” he said following Bale’s match-winning goal.
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