Gareth Bale scores winner against Brighton
A goal that was scored in North London, but made in Madrid. Fellow summer recruit Sergio Reguilón cut in on his weaker foot and delivered an inviting cross which Gareth Bale converted. A difficult finish made to look easy. Both players arrived from Real Madrid and while Bale has had to wait patiently to make his impact, Reguilón has caught the eye on several occasions thus far.
The goal you've waited seven years for…
😍 @GarethBale11 is back! 😍 #THFC ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/x6Jr4bZb60
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 1, 2020
Bale’s winning goal was his first in a Spurs’ shirt for seven and half years. Yet the Welshman celebrated like it was his first for the club, brimming with joy as he embraced his teammates. All that was missing was a ‘genuine’ roar from the fans, but for now the piped-in noise will suffice.
Although seven years have elapsed since his last game for the club, the spark still remains and Spurs’ fans can’t help but express their excitement at the prospect of Son, Kane and Bale leading the line.
Bale will feel he still has a lot to prove, especially to Real Madrid fans. Even his new boss Jose Mourinho was intrigued to see how Madrid would react to their former player’s first goal of the season: “When I have five minutes I’m going to Safari to look at Madrid websites to see what they say”. A cheeky swipe at his old club from Mourinho, who continued by reiterating that “he (Bale) knows we care about him”.
Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 Brighton Hove Albion
The game itself was a relatively tight affair. Spurs left it late against Burnley on Monday evening and this game had a similar feel to it. Harry Kane netted Spurs’ first from the penalty spot. Kane was bundled over on the edge of Brighton’s box by Adam Lallana. The former Liverpool man was adjudged to have fouled Kane, however from the replay it appeared that the striker went looking for the foul.
Brighton came back into the game after conceding, and got their equaliser early in the second half thanks to a well-placed finish from full-back Tariq Lamptey. Again controversy surrounded this goal. Despite a VAR review of Solly March’s badly-timed tackle on Pierre Højbjerg in the build-up, the goal stood.
The tide turned again. Erik Lamela and Harry Kane were both denied by the woodwork. With twenty minutes left on the clock, Gareth Bale arrived onto the pitch and grabbed the winner. Inspired by the number nine on his back, Bale created some space in Brighton’s box and headed home Reguilón’s cross.
The win takes Spurs up to second place in the league, two points behind leaders Liverpool. A strong start to the season for Mourinho’s men.
