Somehow, West Ham are the team holding their nerve in the race to qualify for the Champions League. They saw
Chelsea and
Liverpool drop points and responded with grit, togetherness and incredible desire to grab fourth place with this precious win. Although Son Heung-min almost scored a fluke equaliser in added time, West Ham earned their good fortune. They were clinical when chances arrived and dogged in the face of relentless pressure from
Tottenham, who were far more potent once Gareth Bale decided it was time to show that his career is far from over.
It was Bale who led the charge during the second half, seizing the initiative as Spurs tried to rescue a point after falling behind to goals from Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard. The winger pushed West Ham’s defenders to the limit after his introduction at half-time, creating Lucas Moura’s goal before smacking the bar. Gone was the unfit player who has barely looked interested since returning to Spurs on loan; this was vintage Bale, tormenting defenders with his winding runs and wand of a left foot, proving the gifts that helped the 31-year-old win four
Champions League titles with
Real Madrid still lurk within.