Tottenham Hotspur put one foot in the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League with a resounding 4-1 victory over Austrian outfit Wolfsberger AC in the first-leg of their round of 32 clash on Thursday evening.
Goals from Son Heung-min, Gareth Bale and Lucas Moura fired Spurs into a three-goal lead before half time, ensuring the contest was over before it had even reached the midway stage.
Underdogs Wolfsberger did threaten a comeback just ten minutes into the second half, though, as they were awarded a penalty when Moussa Sissoko was guilty of committing a sloppy tackle inside the box. Striker Michael Liendl stepped up and coolly tucked the ball home to give the Austrian outfit a glimmer of hope.
But that was all it proved to be, as Spurs sealed the victory once and for all two minutes from time when substitute Carlos Vinicius got in on the act to make it 4-1.
That, in truth, means Spurs are all but assured of a place in the last-16, barring any disasters in the second-leg next Wednesday evening.
Whilst it was a solid, professional performance from Spurs, it was an encouraging display from Bale, who claimed the assist for Son's opener and then curled home a sublime left-footed effort to net his fifth goal since returning to the club on loan back in September.
One of the biggest talking points of the evening, however, centred around the celebration Son and Bale produced after the former's smart header gave Spurs the lead. After sending over the cross for the South Korean to connect with, Bale waited, with his arms aloft, for Son to run over to him and thank him for the assist.
Once Son had reached the Welshman, the duo turned to the cameras on the other side of the advertising boards, smiling, and each created the outline of a 'W' with their hands. At the time, it left several Spurs fans wondering what the meaning of the celebration was.
However, it has since been established that the meaning of the celebration was a dedicated message to a paediatric cancer patient from the Make A Wish Foundation, according to a report on reddit. It has been uncovered that Son visited a child suffering from Leukaemia in a hospital visit in his homeland several years ago and he asked him what celebration he would like to see him do, with a request for a 'W' getting the vote.
Therefore, that is what Bale and Son's celebration was all about. Why, however, the duo delivered this message now, so long after Son's visit, has not been revealed.
This news has since brought a response from Spurs fans on social media, who have praised the duo for their kind-natured gesture.
On reddit, one Spurs supporter said: "Good work, boys."
Another wrote: "That is awesome."
"Love my boys," commented another.
