Bale scored with a header to lead Tottenham to victory over Brighton and lead to second place
Gareth Bale participated as a substitute to head the winning goal for Tottenham Hotspur in their 2-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday, his first goal since returning to the London club from Real Madrid.
The Welsh winger entered the 70th minute, and after another three minutes, he met Sergio Regilon's cross header with a powerful header to restore the advance to Tottenham.
Harry Kane put Tottenham ahead in the 13th minute with a penalty kick after Adam Lallana's foul while competing for a high ball.
Brighton responded with possession of the ball for long periods of time as Tottenham failed to exploit their lead and Graham Potter's side equalized in the 56th minute.
Tariq Lamptey hit the far corner after a pass from Pascal Gross at the end of a clever move from Brighton, but VAR asked referee Graham Scott to review Solly Marsh's interference against Pierre-Emile Hoyberg.
Tottenham's players felt that Marsh had committed a foul against the Dane, but Scott decided that the intervention was legitimate and counted the goal.
Tottenham hit the post twice, the first from at the edge of the penalty area through Eric Lamela and the second via Kane from a difficult angle from close range from the goal.
Then came the winning goal by Bale, to put Tottenham ahead of Everton in the standings and to finish second with 14 points, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Bale has not yet appeared in the starting line-up for Tottenham in the league as he has not yet regained his fitness and was happy to make his mark.
You want to come on the field and do your homework to the team. I work for the team and I was lucky to score, "Bale said.
But Bale was wary of talking that Tottenham might be a title contender this season.
"(We) are competing and we know very well not to get high on this. There are some great teams, and we will continue to work as hard as we have," he added.
Everton lost 2-1 to Newcastle United earlier on Sunday.
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