Gareth Bale scores late winner to sink former side Southampton

Newly-crowned PFA Player of the Year and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year Gareth Bale scored a late winner against his former side Southampton to snatch a win for Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

© PA Photos

Kickoff was delayed for half an hour due to traffic around the stadium, but both teams burst out of the blocks in an energetic first half at White Hart Lane.

Early in the first half, Nathanial Clyne was put through by a defence-splitting ball from Guly do Prado, but the young full-back blazed his shot wide of the post from close range.

Rickie Lambert struck a vicious free kick towards the top corner after 40 minutes, but Lloris tipped the ball onto the post. With Southampton players rushing to tap the loose ball into the net, Spurs cleared the danger.

Southampton continued to frustrate the home side in a tense second half, as groans rung out around White Hart Lane.

Andre Villas-Boas threw Emmanuel Adebayor on with 25 minutes remaining in search of a goal, but it was Bale who had the final say.

Bale picked the ball up outside the box before thumping an effort into the bottom corner with four minutes left, to give Spurs three crucial points in the race for Champions League football.