Revitalised Bale bags a brace in Spurs victory

Gareth Bale appeared back to his best as he produced a devastating display that included two goals and an assist in Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Burnley.

The Wales international has enjoyed a resurgence in the last few weeks after a miserable start to his Spurs homecoming and delivered his most telling impact yet against the Clarets.

After opening the scoring in just the second minute, he then set up Harry Kane and was involved in Lucas Moura’s third as Jose Mourinho’s men ran riot in the first half.

He then added a brilliant second after the break to complete a fine afternoon’s work to help Spurs to just a second Premier League win in seven games.

Chelsea missed the chance to climb back into the Premier League’s top four after grinding out a goalless draw with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues threw in all their attacking personnel and every novel idea from new boss Thomas Tuchel but could not force a breakthrough against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s resolute Red Devils.

Chelsea extended their unbeaten run under Tuchel to nine matches, while United stretched their record-breaking stint without a league loss on the road to 20 games.

Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Curtis Jones and a Kean Bryan own goal ended the Reds’ run of four successive league defeats and heaped more misery on the bottomplaced Blades.

Bryan’s own goal was Liverpool’s 7,000th goal in top-flight football and secured a win which moves Jurgen Klopp’s champions within two points of fourthplaced West Ham.

United’s 21st defeat from 26 games leaves them 15 points from safety in the battle to beat the drop.

Arsenal continued to breathe fresh life into their season after an impressive 3-1 win at Leicester.

David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe netted as the Gunners came from behind to claim a deserved victory.

The Foxes remain third in the Premier League but missed the chance to move further clear of fifth-placed Chelsea.

Fulham extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to five matches but were left to reflect on what might have been after the 0-0 stalemate at Crystal Palace.

This point for Fulham moved them within three of relegation rivals Newcastle and Brighton while the Eagles remain in 13th position.

● Paul Lambert has left his role as Ipswich manager by mutual consent.

The 51-year-old Scot, who took charge of the Tractor Boys in October 2018, leaves the club eighth in League One, two points off the playoff places.

Ipswich owner Marcus Evans said the move came after the two parties had “significant differences of opinion” over the club’s direction.

Former Wigan and Portsmouth boss Paul Cook has been linked with the Portman Road hotseat, with US investors reported to be close to buying the club.

CELEBRATION TIME: Tottenham Hotspur forward Gareth Bale celebrates opening the scoring against Burnley.