Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Jermaine Jenas have waxed lyrical over Gareth Bale's latest performance.
The Welshman put in one of the best performances since his return to Tottenham on loan from Real Madrid on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick to help see off strugglers Sheffield United in a 4-0 home win.
Bale scored three fine finishes in what some will see as a sign of what Jose Mourinho failed to get from Bale between the start of the season and his sacking.
Speaking on BBC programme Match of the Day 2, pundit and former Spurs midfielder Jenas was reluctant to criticise Mourinho on the topic of the front three, but he did want to make a point about Bale, who has started just eight times in the Premier League this season.
Jenas questioned: "I still believe Gareth Bale coming to the club in the first place and paying all that money, what's the point of not playing him?
"Yeah, he lacked fitness initially, but I've always felt Gareth is the type of player who just plays until he gets himself fit.
"He has been a world-class player and he is ruthless in that situation, as we saw today."
Praising Bale's display, Alan Shearer said: "It was a magnificent performance. It was the very best of Gareth Bale, it had everything, the running off the ball, work rate and his finishing was lethal.
"He did the work rate for his team and he knew that would create chances. It was a perfect performance from him."
Bale has had to settle for many appearances off the bench this season, but he has still netted 14 goals this season, assisting a further three in 30 appearances across all competitions.
Tottenham have an option to extend Bale's loan by a further year, but as things stand, he is set to return to Real Madrid ahead of next season.
