Interim manager Ryan Mason was left in awe of Gareth Bale’s ‘absolutely outstanding’ goal as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to beat Southampton on Wednesday night, as he told Football London.
In their first outing of the post-Jose Mourinho era, Spurs needed a moment of magic from their four-time Champions League winner.
And Bale was more than happy to oblige.
Against the club where he started his career all those years ago, the Real Madrid loanee cancelled out Danny Ings’ opener with a quite sublime finish just after half-time.
Checking inside onto his fearsome left foot, Bale arced a glorious shot into the top corner, the 11th goal of his second spell in North London.
The Welshman’s brilliant finish, coupled with Heung Min-Son’s stoppage time penalty, means Mason had a win to savour in his first game at the helm.
“Listen, Gareth’s an exceptional player, he’s had an exceptional career,” said 29-year-old Mason, the youngest manager in Premier League history (interim or otherwise).
“Especially when you don’t have Harry (Kane) in the team, you need someone who can produce moments in the final third.
“That was the decision (to play) Gareth today, and thankfully he’s repaid that, the effort he’s showed and the quality for the finish was absolutely outstanding.”
Mason didn’t exactly spark a storm with his team selection – leaving Dele Alli on the bench while putting his faith in Mourinho favourites Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Eric Dier.
But, after three games on the bench, Bale’s return to the XI felt pertinent.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
