Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho posed a challenge to struggling Gareth Bale ahead of the Spurs FA Cup match against Wycombe. The Wales must play good football and soon if he wants to remain in England, Mourinho demanded. Bale delivered and the Portuguese scored a fourth-round victory for his side.
Bale found his name on the scoresheet after the winning game and it was only the third goal for him in the season after transferring from Real Madrid last summer on a loan deal. The 31-year-old came from a string of injuries and the period of adjusting back to the Premier League saw him in just 12 games for Tottenham, four of them in England.
But in his latest appearance, the winger showed flashes of the brilliance that made him a superstar first in the Premier League then in La Liga. Bale stayed the whole 90 minutes on the pitch and cleared the first goal that triggered the Spurs' comeback and eventual victory.
Mourinho is singing praises on the veteran star and stressed that Bale made all the right moves in contributing to Tottenham's win.
"Some good movement ... Beating people, attacking people, creating chances. Of course, scoring a goal ... Apart from that, I never felt he couldn't play the 90 minutes. I never felt that I needed to change him and that is good," The Daily Mail reported the manager as saying.
His celebratory tone highlighted a milestone for Bale. The Wales played his first full game for the English club and it could be the start of his road to better form. The winger was once the toast of the town in London and Mourinho seemed increasingly optimistic that Bale will be able to relive at least the better parts of those old days.
Prior to the Monday match, Mourinho addressed the questions on Bale's future at Tottenham since the player was hardly seen in the first half of the season. The Portuguese made clear that Bale's stay with the club will greatly depend on what the player can prove in the upcoming matches.
Bale rarely saw action in the past months and for that to change, he will need to work harder and prove he is worthy of Mourinho's trust. The coach said the player needs to impress to earn playing minutes in the squad.
The last game by Tottenham was solid proof that Bale can still deliver and he can be a key factor for the club's success, Mourinho said and per the report by Goal.
And it will be another big test for the Real Madrid outcast as Tottenham will need to get past reigning Premier League champions Liverpool on Thursday to improve on their fifth spot on the table.
