This was exactly the kind of afternoon Tottenham had hoped for when Gareth Bale jetted back in five months ago. Two goals and an assist offered compelling evidence that he has a use beyond Europa League cameos and heightened the impression that, at long last, he is ready to be both the game-changer and team player José Mourinho wants.
Perhaps even more encouraging than the individual flourishes was his harmony with the rest of Spurs’ front four, each of whom were outstanding. Everyone was on the same page and that was evident in the sumptuous 60-yard ball Bale played to Harry Kane for the strike that effectively put this game beyond Burnley.
