Gareth Bale has told BBC Sport that Jose Mourinho told him to go on and make a difference against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Bale scored the winner for Spurs yesterday, as he opened his account since returning to the North London club.
Bale was picked out by a great cross from Sergio Reguilon, and he firmly planted a header beyond Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal to wrap up the three points for Mourinho’s men.
And the Welshman said: “It’s a great feeling, you want to make a difference as a sub and it’s nice to score again in a Tottenham shirt. You wish the fans were there.
“The manager said just try and make a difference. You have to be ready when you’re on the bench.
“I haven’t scored since January but it’s only about five games! It sounds worse in months.
“It’s great to get that scoring feeling back again, hopefully I can kick on from here.”
Bale’s goal was the first real big impact he has had on a game since returning.
The Real Madrid loanee has looked short of match sharpness, but his clinical header may well be the action which kickstarts his second spell back at Tottenham.
Jose Mourinho did say after the match that Bale still isn’t fit enough to play for 90 minutes in the Premier League, but he must be knocking on the door to start now.
Erik Lamela was fairly subdued during his time on the pitch yesterday, and Bale must be pushing for a place alongside Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane in Tottenham’s attack now.
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