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Monday Evening Ticker: Bale’s last second strike moves Spurs to third, Lazio ends Serie A skid, and more

BY JUSTIN FERGUSON

There might not be a more in-form player in the world right now than Gareth Bale.

The Tottenham winger scored twice his club’s dramatic 3-2 win over West Ham United on Monday, including a 90th minute winner from distance Bale’s other goal opened the scoring for Spurs, who moved into third place in the Premier League table with the win.

West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen gave the home side a chance to get the upset with a 10-save performance. The Hammers erased Spurs’ early lead with an Andy Carroll penalty in the 25th minute. After some back-and-forth action to close the first and open the second half, West Ham took the lead by way of a Joe Cole strike.

Tottenham threw everything it had at the 37-year-old Jaaskelainen, finally breaking through in the 76th minute thanks to a fine effort from substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Then, with just seconds left of regular time, Bale placed a long range screamer in the top corner. The Welshman then charged over to the Tottenham bench, where he was met by a joyous Andre Villas-Boas. The young manager’s squad now moves past his former employer in the EPL standings.

Here are some more stories to wrap up your Monday:

LAZIO DEFEATS US PESCARA, MOVES BACK TO THIRD IN SERIE A

Tottenham was not the only club making a move up the tables on Monday. Lazio ended its four-match winless streak in Serie A competition with a 2-0 win over US Pescara. The three points moves Lazio back to third place in the league standings, jumping both Milan clubs.

Stefan Radu scored his first goal in his 119th Lazio appearance, firing a stunning shot that curled just inside the near post. Senad Lulic one-upped his fellow defender just six minutes later with a cannon of a goal from 25 yards out.

Lazio controlled the rest of the match but was unable to add to their two-goal lead.

The club will have to fight to keep its third place spot this weekend. Lazio travels to San Siro on Saturday to face fourth-place AC Milan.

In other Serie A action, Napoli was held to a scoreless draw with Udinese, bringing the gap between the club and league leading Juventus to only six points.

QUICK KICKS

Arsene Wenger believes that Arsenal still has a chance to finish second in the Premier League this season. (REPORT)

FIFA has now given 58 worldwide bans, including 33 lifetime ones, to individuals involved in the Chinese match-fixing scandal. (REPORT)

Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko told Kicker magazine that he would love to make a return to the Bundesliga. (REPORT)

FIFA has licensed German magnetic field system Cairos as the official third candidate for goal-line technology selection for the 2014 World Cup. (REPORT)

Former Italian international Gennaro Gattuso has been named as the new player-coach for Swiss club Sion. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Think Tottenham can stay at third place in the Premier League? What are your thoughts on the race for the top four spots in Serie A? Believe Arsene is right about the Gunners’ chances at second place?

Comments

  1. OH WOW…

    Just took a look at the league table…

    CHELSEA could well be left out of the Champion’s League.

    After 27 fixtures each…

    Tottenham has 51

    Chelsea have 49

    Arsenal are on 47

    One will be left out!

    But of the bottom two, one will make it though both are struggling mightily.

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  2. Anyone else think it’s hilarious that no one is addressing Arsene’s belief in Arsenal’s ability to finish 2nd in the league???

    Just pray for a sniff at 4th, Arsene!

    That’s a trophy in itself, right?!

    I think they give a trophy for that.

    It might be just a ribbon though,

    which is clearly not the same.

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  3. But speaking of KK. If he keeps this play up how much you think SKC will let him go for? I’m thinking anywhere from 1.5 to 2 mil would be nice.

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    • I don’t know his contract situation, but if he has at least two more years left on it, I hope they get more than 1.5 to 2mil, especially if he scores another two or three. Saying that, as a Norwich fan, I wouldn’t mind getting him for that cheap.

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  4. “There might not be a more in-form player in the world right now than Gareth Bale.” Ahem…Lionel Messi is on a 15 game goal scoring binge.

    But Messi aside, I see your point Justin. Bale is on fire right now. And we get so used to Messi’s consistent brilliance it is easy to overlook.

    I think Bale is the second most in form player in the world right now. But I will say that Bale is the MVP of the world right now in the sense that he is the most important player to his team. Bale IS Tottenham this year.

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  5. tha Spurs match was fun to watch. if you get the chance to see it replayed, check it out, especially the second half. Bale is a must see player right now if you can, absolutely in the zone

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    • I truly believe that Bale is currently in better form than Ronaldo, and I am saying that as a fan of Ronaldo. The question is whether Bale can maintain this high level for the rest of the season (and beyond).

      yeah, that was an exciting game. Holtby certainly came down to earth, with the team snapping to life after he was pulled for Sigurdsson, who no doubt was trying his best to show up Holtby, which he did.

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