Bale's first goal since his return saved Tottenham

Sergio Reguilón hit the post, Gareth Bale met with his forehead and headed in the winning goal in the 73rd minute at home in north London.

By then, the Welshman, who started the match on the bench, had only been on the pitch for three minutes.

The goal was redemptive for Tottenham, who had taken the lead on penalties through Harry Kane before Tariq Lamptey equalized for Brighton, after a controversial situation where "Spurs" wanted a free kick for a tackle on Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Second behind Liverpool

It was also a goal reminiscent of times gone by.

Gareth Bale scored a goal for Tottenham before leaving for Real Madrid in 2013.

There he is no longer part of coach Zinedine Zidane's plans and earlier this autumn he was loaned to Tottenham, who also bought Reguilón from the Spaniards.

Bale was injured when he returned to Tottenham and had only made a brief appearance in the Premier League before the meeting with Brighton, as well as two approximately hour-long efforts in the Europa League.

Thanks to the winning goal, Tottenham are new second in the table, two points behind Liverpool after seven games.