DOUBLE TOP

Bale inspires Spurs as Vinicius and Lo Celso clinch group win

GARETH BALE conjured a moment of free- kick magic to inspire Tottenham to the top of Group J and open an easier route to Europa League glory.

Jose Mourinho made nine changes from the side which b e at Arsenal i n t h e nor t h London derby and his secondstring team lacked spark.

But after 57 minutes, Wales superst ar Bal e st e pped up to whip a 35- yard f ree- kick towards the top corner.

Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand could only tip the shot on to the post and Carlos Vinicius reacted quickest to tap home for his third goal in two European games.

That was the last contribution for both Bale and Vinicius, who were immediately hauled yesterday, failed even to get off the bench for Spurs’ second team – a stark illustration of his decline this year.

Jordan Luk a k u , t h e y o u n g e r b r o t h e r o f Romelu, lined u p f o r t h e t eam f ourth in the Belgian League while B e i r a n v a n d m a d e h i s debut in goal

Japhet Tang a n g a a n d Bale sent early headers wide b u t To t t e n - ham failed to get a grip of t h e g a me – n o t f o r t h e f i r st t i me i n this competition this season.

Lo Celso finally forced Beiranvand into a save after 34 minutes with a curling shot with the outside of his left foot, before the keeper denied Bale and Vinicus before the break.

But it was hard to tell 2,000 fans were back in the Tottenham Stadium.

Mourinho made four halftime subs during the October defeat in Belgium – and claimed he had wanted to change all 11 players.

Last night he settl ed f or bringing off the ineffective Sergio Reguilon for Steven Bergwijn and the Dutchman added energy down the left.

Before last night’s triumph Spurs had won only three of 11 European matches against Belgian sides but, after that Bale moment of magic, there was only going to be one winner.