Gareth Bale scored a superb hat-trick – his first for Tottenham since Boxing Day 2012 – as Ryan Mason’s side boosted their European hopes with a 4-0 win over Sheffield United.
Bale’s deft flick gave Spurs a 1-0 lead at the interval and the Welshman scored two fierce left-foot strikes after half-time, before Heung-min Son capped the win with a stunning curling finish.
The victory leaves Spurs five points behind Chelsea with four games to play.
Dan Kilpatrick was at White Hart Lane to run the rule over the Spurs players...
Hugo Lloris 7
Only had one save to make and did so comfortably.
Serge Aurier 9
Set up two of Bale’s goals with brilliant moments of creativity. The first was a clever scoop, the second a powerful run inside and nice layoff.
Toby Alderweireld 8
Snuffed out most of United’s attacks and his long passing was on point. Created a fine chance for Dele in the first half and was unlucky not to have an assist when Son’s goal was ruled out.
Eric Dier 7
Did his job with minimum fuss but was rarely put under sustained pressure by the visitors.
Sergio Reguilon 7
Got forward well and set up an early chance for Kane but missed a late opportunity to make it 5-0.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 7
Stopped more than one United counter-attack in its tracks and kept the ball moving at the base of midfield. Solid.
Giovani Lo Celso 6
A slightly frustrating display from the Argentine, who was full of good ideas but too often lacking the execution.
Gareth Bale 10
Three stunning finishes again made a mockery of his lack of minutes under the previous manager.
Dele Alli 8
Looked a little rusty at times and occasionally on a different wavelength to his teammates. But determined to be involved and full of clever touches and intelligent runs, which created problems for United.
Heung-min Son 8
Scored the pick of the bunch with an inch-perfect curling finish and was unlucky to have another ruled out for a fractional offside.
Harry Kane 6
A rare off-day for the England captain, who was the quietest of Spurs’ forwards. Fluffed one chance from Reguilon’s cross and had an effort cleared off the line but otherwise barely involved.
Substitutes
Harry Winks (Lo Celso 70’) 6
Helped keep Spurs on the front foot by moving the ball forward quickly.
Steven Bergwijn (Bale 75’) 7
Grabbed a confidence-boosting assist for Son’s superb finish.
Erik Lamela (Alli 78’) 6
Made a late cameo but not especially involved, with the game already done.
