Bale back with bang for boss

RYAN MASON hailed “exceptional” Gareth Bale after the superstar came in from the cold to inspire Tottenham’s comeback win.

The Welsh superstar, who had played just 10 minutes of football since the international break under Jose Mourinho, was straight back in for Mason’s first game as interim boss.

And he responded with a superb, 60th-minute strike to cancel out Danny Ings’ first-half opener.

Mason said: “Gareth is an exceptional player who has had an excellent career.

“When you don’t have Harry Kane in the team you need someone who can produce moments like that in the final third. The quality of the finish was absolutely outstanding. The manner of this win said a lot about the group. I am very proud of the effort and the commitment.”

Spurs now sit sixth in the table, just two points off the top four but having played a game more than the teams around them.

Heung-min Son grabbed a late penalty courtesy of VAR and Mason also revealed Kane is continuing his race against time to be fit for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

The forward limped off with an ankle injury last Friday after scoring twice in the 2-2 draw with Everton.

Mason said: “We all know he is doing everything he can to be back.”

The result made it 21 points dropped from winning positions for Southampton this season.

Boss Ralph Hassenhuttl said: “Maybe we are tired. It was a combination of everything. It is not too easy to change things at the moment.”