The 31-year-old returned to Spurs last summer from Real Madrid but was largely a peripheral figure under Jose Mourinho; forward has started the last two games, scoring four goals, including a hat-trick against Sheffield United, since Ryan Mason's temporary appointment as boss
Friday 7 May 2021 10:55, UK
Gareth Bale has proven he still has "immense quality" and plenty to offer, according to interim Tottenham boss Ryan Mason.
The 31-year-old returned to Spurs last summer from Real Madrid but was largely a peripheral figure under Jose Mourinho, starting just six Premier League games.
Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told Sky Sports News' Inside Football earlier this week his player had experienced an unnecessary "tough ride" so far at the club.
But since Mourinho's departure and Mason's temporary appointment, Bale has started the last two games and scored four goals - including a hat-trick against Sheffield United on Sunday.
When asked about the reasons for the Wales international's revival, Mason was quick to play down his own involvement, merely stating the player was back in the team on merit.
"Gareth (Bale) is a top professional with immense quality and the last two weeks in training he has been excellent," Mason said.
"I pick the team from training performances and certain individuals who I think will help the team and against Southampton we really felt we needed him with Harry (Kane) missing.
"Someone we could rely on to produce that moment and he's gone and produced that in the last two Premier League matches.
"He's happy which is important as a player and I think that has helped to see Gareth close to his best.
"He has proved over the last couple of weeks he's still got that quality in the final third and I hope it continues."
Another player that has appeared to come in from the cold under Mason is Dele Alli, starting just this third Premier League game of the season against Sheffield United last weekend.
Mason has urged the 25-year-old to forget what has gone on before and to just keep working hard and taking his chances.
"Dele (Alli) trained himself into the team last weekend so whatever has happened in the past has to stay there," Mason said.
"As footballers, and generally in life as well, you have to live in the moment and the here and now and Dele has shown me, like the rest of the group, that he wants to work and compete.
"He's been excellent and in the game he was 100 per cent committed, helped us regain a lot of second balls but most importantly he had a lot of energy and he felt good which is pleasing."
The dates for the penultimate round of 2020/21 Premier League games have been confirmed, plus the rearranged match between Manchester United and Liverpool, which will be live on Sky Sports on Thursday, May 13.
The postponement of United vs Liverpool on Sunday has forced a reconfiguring of the fixtures scheduled for week beginning Monday, May 10 and means United will play three games in five days.
United - who are away to Aston Villa on Sunday, May 9 at 2.05pm - will now play Leicester on Tuesday, May 11 at 6pm (previously Wednesday, May, 12), and Liverpool on Thursday, May 13 at 8.15pm, with both games at Old Trafford.
To accommodate that rescheduling, Southampton vs Crystal Palace remains on Tuesday, May 11 but will kick-off at 8.15pm, Aston Villa vs Everton remains on Thursday May 13, but will now kick-off at 6pm, and Manchester United vs Fulham is moved to Tuesday, May 18 at 6pm (previously Wednesday May 19, 7.45pm) - with all three games live on Sky Sports.
The Premier League season will conclude on Sunday May 23, with the games to be shown live on Sky Sports to be confirmed in due course.
