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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Gareth Bale's Tottenham return goes horribly wrong as Spurs collapse against West Ham

Gareth Bale's Tottenham return did not go as planned as Spurs threw away a three goal lead against West Ham.

Jose Mourinho's side were in cruise control against the Hammers, with a Harry Kane brace and a Son-Heung-min strike putting them 3-0 up.

Bale - who re-joined Tottenham from Real Madrid on a season-long loan deal last month - was summoned from the bench midway through the second half for what was his first Spurs outing since May 2013.

However, after Bale entered the fray with the score at 3-0, David Moyes' men hit back in stunning style to draw 3-3.

Fabian Balbuena's effort along with a Davinson Sanchez own goal ensured West Ham trailed by one goal with five minutes left on the clock at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bale had the chance to wrap up the game for the hosts in the first minute of injury time, but the Wales star could only fire wide from inside the box.

And Spurs were punished in devastating fashion as Manuel Lanzini's late stunner completed a remarkable Hammers comeback to ensure the points were shared in the London derby.

The draw meant Mourinho's men missed out on moving up to second spot in the Premier League table, with Spurs currently sitting in sixth place after five games.

Speaking about Bale after the match, Mourinho commented: "The decision not to start him was a good one. It showed he doesn't have a beautiful chair waiting for him in the team and it's there for him when he's ready.

"Everybody has to fight. He's come into the group well, everybody likes him and he likes what he's found here.

"It's a pity he couldn't score that fourth goal that would have been crucial."

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