Gareth Bale returned to his best as he made a devastating display that included two goals and an assist in Tottenham ‘s 4-0 win over Burnley.
Wales ’international recovery has been getting a rebound in the last few weeks after a poor start to his Spurs return and he made his most impressive impact yet against the Clarets.
After opening the scoring in just the second minute, he then set up Harry Kane and was involved in Lucas Moura’s third when Jose Mourinho’s men ran into a foul in the first half.
He then scored a brilliant second after the break to complete a good afternoon work to help Spurs win just a second Premier League in seven games.
It may have taken the 31-year-old the best of five months to find his find but he couldn’t have been better recruited as Spurs are entering a crucial part of the the season, with the final stages of the Europa League and Carabao Cup final to look ahead.
Burnley will never be too fashionable about returning to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium any time soon as they follow last season’s 5-0 win with another heavy loss that could only have been worse. to warden Nick Pope.
Bale needed just 67 seconds to win as Spurs started to dream.
Son Heung-min got the ball on the left and his lower cross was taken home by Bale, whose late run overcame the wrong trap.
It was an electric start by Spurs, who could have gone out of sight in the opening 10 minutes but Kane put in an inch-wide effort and then Moura shot directly at Pope .
Bale then went back years to travel past Charlie Taylor before joining Kane and Son but the counterattack broke down at the last minute.
Bale was everywhere and got great support in the 15th minute when he put Kane clear with a 50-yard pass. The England captain still had work to do and fired in his 14th league goal of the season, although he was grateful for a discount from James Tarkowski that he handed over to the Pope.
The Real Madrid loanee may have had another goal shortly afterwards when another quick break saw him play in by Son, but he fired over after cutting into his left leg.
Instead he had to settle for a preseason as Spurs made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute.
His ball found Sergio Reguilon in space and the Spaniard’s cross fell to Moura who fired into the corner for his second league goal in two games.
Spurs had been 3-0 up at half-time against West Ham in October and went on to draw 3-3 but made sure there would be no replay as Bale got his second game 10 minutes away after the restart.
Mac did it again as he created a place on the left before moving on and changing play to Bale, who, with an inevitable air, cut in and fire in. to the lower corner.
Spurs could have surpassed the top gain in their new home if they had stayed as a clinician in the final 30 minutes.
After Bale left for a well-deserved rest, Pope Kane embarked on a brilliant flight save with a bullet moving from distance before the England keeper did even better shortly afterwards.
A devastating count by Kane and Dele Alli ended with Son in on the goal, but his low shot was kept out.
Mac blamed for another late chance and Kane added his lines as well but the damage was done when Spurs stopped the rot.