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Tottenham 4-0 Burnley: Gareth Bale, Harry Kane and Lucas Moura score for Spurs

By Michael EmonsBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments691

Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale has now scored three times in the Premier League this season and got eight goals in all competitions for Tottenham in 2020-21

Gareth Bale scored twice and made another as Tottenham cruised to an easy Premier League win over Burnley that boosted their hopes of European qualification.

Spurs had lost five of their previous six league matches but went ahead inside two minutes when Bale converted Son Heung-min's low cross.

Bale's superb long pass released Harry Kane to net Tottenham's second, before Lucas Moura added a third from Sergio Reguilon's delivery.

Son was the architect for the fourth as he ran at the Burnley defence before finding Bale, and the Wales forward curled a fine finish into the far corner to seal the emphatic win.

The victory takes Jose Mourinho's side up to eighth. They are six points behind fourth-placed West Ham, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot, but have a game in hand on the Hammers.

Brilliant Bale inspires Tottenham

After winning the Champions League four times with Real Madrid, much was expected from Bale on his return to Tottenham, where he had twice won the Professional Footballers' Association Players' Player of the Year Award before moving to La Liga.

However, after a couple of disrupted campaigns, Bale was carrying an injury when he rejoined Spurs in September on a season-long loan deal from Real and has struggled to build up a regular run of matches.

But his recent form has shown glimpses of what Tottenham fans would have hoped to see and, following goals in both legs of the 8-1 aggregate win over Austrian side Wolfsberger in the Europa League last 32, he was given only his third Premier League start of the season on Sunday.

Before the match, Mourinho said Bale "was happier than ever" and it took the 31-year-old only 70 seconds to score when he had got in between the Burnley central defenders and steered Son's low cross past Nick Pope in the first chance of the game.

Kane shot just wide and Moura was denied by Pope, before the England keeper was beaten again after 15 minutes.

A brilliant long ball from Bale, 30 yards from his own goal, released Kane and the forward scored his 14th Premier League goal of the campaign, although his strike took a deflection off James Tarkowski to take it over Pope.

Tottenham won this fixture 5-0 last season and it then became a question of how many they would score.

The third came when Reguilon's cross was inadvertently flicked on by Tarkowski and Moura took a touch to set himself before firing into the net.

Bale, in arguably his best performance of the season, scored again with an excellent curling finish following a storming run forward from Son, before the Welshman was substituted after 69 minutes.

Gareth Bale
Bale spent six years at Tottenham before moving to Real Madrid in September 2013 for a then-world record fee of £85.3m

After the match, Bale said: "I'm delighted with the goals and the assist and whatever I can do for the team.

"I've been happy all season. In the dressing room I feel comfortable and I'm having fun. I'm happy and I'm sure it's showing on the pitch.

"I have been building up a little bit to get fully fit - I felt comfortable and my form is coming back. It's nice to help the team.

"It's been a while so I just continue to work hard. I know you get criticism but I am experienced enough to keep my head down, not say anything stupid and keep plugging away."

Only excellent goalkeeping from Pope denied the hosts a bigger win as he made fine saves from Kane and Son on a tough day for Burnley.

Tottenham have finished in the top six in the past 11 seasons. They started this match in 10th, although the win took them back above north London rivals Arsenal and also ahead of Aston Villa into eighth.

Dyche will need to see a reaction again

Burnley had come into this game unbeaten in four Premier League matches, but they were completely outplayed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Clarets' total of 18 goals is the second lowest in the league and Jay Rodriguez twice had efforts that were comfortably dealt with by keeper Hugo Lloris, while Matej Vydra should have also done better but shot off target.

They are now only five points clear of the relegation zone and have matches against top-half sides - Leicester, Arsenal and Everton - in their three games in March.

However, Sean Dyche's side have repeatedly shown their fighting spirit this season and the Burnley boss will surely now be looking to see a similar reaction to what followed heavy losses to Chelsea and Manchester City earlier this season.

After a 3-0 defeat by Chelsea in October they picked up four points in their next two matches and following a 5-0 hammering against Manchester City in November, Burnley then collected two wins and two draws in their next four games.

One plus for Dyche was top goalscorer Chris Wood coming on for the last 18 minutes after missing six matches because of a hamstring injury he picked up against Chelsea at the end of January. The New Zealand forward will be an important player as they fight to keep hold of their top-flight status.

Kane scores against Burnley again - the stats

  • Tottenham registered their biggest home Premier League win since December 2019 - a 5-0 victory over Burnley.
  • Burnley have lost 12 of their past 15 top-flight matches at Spurs, conceding 48 goals in total, including at least four in seven games.
  • Tottenham boss Mourinho has taken charge of more league matches against Burnley without losing than any other club in his managerial career.
  • No player has scored more Premier League goals against Burnley than Spurs' Kane (eight, level with Riyad Mahrez), with the England captain involved in 10 in his past six league appearances against the Clarets (seven goals, three assists).
  • Bale's first goal for Spurs after just 68 seconds was the fastest conceded by Burnley in a Premier League match.
  • Bale has been directly involved in seven goals in his past four appearances for Tottenham (four goals, three assists).
  • Only Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne (16) has more assists for a Premier League club than Spurs forward Son Heung-Min's 15 this season.
  • In his 285th Premier League appearance, Tottenham's Lloris has become the 16th goalkeeper to achieve 100 clean sheets in the competition, and the ninth quickest in terms of games.

'The players could express themselves' - what they said

Spurs 4-0 Burnley: 'Spurs need Bale' - Mourinho praises forward in Burnley win

Tottenham boss Mourinho, speaking to Match of the Day, said: "I don't think it was a performance from another galaxy but we were solid. We needed a game where the players could express themselves against a team that never gives up.

"Until the last minute, we had to defend two corners. We had a clean sheet because we wanted a clean sheet. It's something we've not been having."

On Gareth Bale's performance, Mourinho added: "We know the quality he has. I don't want to say that [he is 100% back to his best].

"We don't need the Gareth Bale of five or six years ago. That player wouldn't be here - he'd be at Real Madrid. He is winning duels and you saw his speed and direction.

"I'm very happy for him, very happy for the team because the team needs his talent. When his condition is good he can do things like today - his game was very good, not just scoring, changing speeds, going inside."

Tottenham 4-0 Burnley: Spurs' quality outshined Burnley - Dyche

Burnley manager Dyche, speaking to Match of the Day, said: "You come to a Tottenham side that have been questioned. When teams are on a tough run it very rarely lasts. [It was a] really poor start from our point of view - no-one is alive to it.

"You have to give credit to the opposition - they looked alive, alert. Everyone has been surprised by the run they had.

"Their quality showed in the right areas and we couldn't find those quality moments.

"When you are not quite on it, good sides find you out. But we have to make sure it doesn't happen very often. We gave it away too much."

What's next?

Tottenham have London derbies in both their next two matches, going to Fulham on Thursday (18:00 GMT) and then hosting Crystal Palace on Sunday, 7 March (19:15).

Burnley play at home against Leicester City on Wednesday (18:00) and then entertain Arsenal on Saturday (12:30).

Player of the match

BaleGareth Bale

with an average of 8.70

Tottenham Hotspur

  1. Squad number9Player nameBale
    Average rating

    8.70

  2. Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-Min
    Average rating

    7.83

  3. Squad number10Player nameKane
    Average rating

    7.82

  4. Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura
    Average rating

    7.47

  5. Squad number3Player nameReguilón
    Average rating

    7.22

  6. Squad number4Player nameAlderweireld
    Average rating

    7.16

  7. Squad number28Player nameNdombele
    Average rating

    7.09

  8. Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
    Average rating

    7.04

  9. Squad number6Player nameD Sánchez
    Average rating

    7.01

  10. Squad number20Player nameAlli
    Average rating

    6.83

  11. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    6.57

  12. Squad number24Player nameAurier
    Average rating

    6.48

  13. Squad number2Player nameDoherty
    Average rating

    6.34

  14. Squad number11Player nameLamela
    Average rating

    6.17

Burnley

  1. Squad number1Player namePope
    Average rating

    6.02

  2. Squad number38Player nameRichardson
    Average rating

    5.09

  3. Squad number2Player nameLowton
    Average rating

    4.87

  4. Squad number9Player nameWood
    Average rating

    4.81

  5. Squad number6Player nameMee
    Average rating

    4.76

  6. Squad number19Player nameRodriguez
    Average rating

    4.75

  7. Squad number5Player nameTarkowski
    Average rating

    4.60

  8. Squad number16Player nameStephens
    Average rating

    4.49

  9. Squad number11Player nameMcNeil
    Average rating

    4.48

  10. Squad number3Player nameTaylor
    Average rating

    4.44

  11. Squad number4Player nameCork
    Average rating

    4.43

  12. Squad number8Player nameBrownhill
    Average rating

    4.42

  13. Squad number27Player nameVydra
    Average rating

    4.37

  14. Squad number18Player nameWestwood
    Average rating

    4.32

Line-ups

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lloris
  • 24AurierSubstituted forDohertyat 81'minutes
  • 6D Sánchez
  • 4Alderweireld
  • 3Reguilón
  • 28Ndombele
  • 5Højbjerg
  • 9BaleSubstituted forLamelaat 70'minutes
  • 27Lucas MouraSubstituted forAlliat 66'minutes
  • 7Son Heung-Min
  • 10Kane

Substitutes

  • 2Doherty
  • 8Winks
  • 11Lamela
  • 12Hart
  • 15Dier
  • 17Sissoko
  • 20Alli
  • 33Davies
  • 45Alves Morais

Burnley

Formation 4-4-2

  • 1Pope
  • 2Lowton
  • 5Tarkowski
  • 6Mee
  • 3Taylor
  • 8Brownhill
  • 18Westwood
  • 4CorkSubstituted forStephensat 81'minutes
  • 11McNeil
  • 27VydraSubstituted forWoodat 73'minutes
  • 19RodriguezSubstituted forRichardsonat 88'minutes

Substitutes

  • 9Wood
  • 15Peacock-Farrell
  • 16Stephens
  • 26Bardsley
  • 28Long
  • 34Dunne
  • 38Richardson
  • 41Benson
  • 45Driscoll-Glennon
Referee:
Kevin Friend

Match Stats

Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamBurnley
Possession
Home58%
Away42%
Shots
Home16
Away10
Shots on Target
Home7
Away3
Corners
Home3
Away4
Fouls
Home6
Away10

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 4, Burnley 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 4, Burnley 0.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Son Heung-Min following a fast break.

  4. Post update

    Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Toby Alderweireld.

  5. Post update

    Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Toby Alderweireld.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur).

  7. Post update

    Dwight McNeil (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  8. Post update

    Attempt missed. James Tarkowski (Burnley) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Dwight McNeil with a cross following a corner.

  9. Post update

    Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

  10. Substitution

    Substitution, Burnley. Lewis Richardson replaces Jay Rodriguez.

  11. Post update

    Davinson Sánchez (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Chris Wood (Burnley).

  13. Post update

    Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Dale Stephens (Burnley).

  15. Post update

    Attempt missed. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Harry Kane with a through ball following a fast break.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Matt Doherty replaces Serge Aurier because of an injury.

  17. Substitution

    Substitution, Burnley. Dale Stephens replaces Jack Cork.

  18. Post update

    Foul by Davinson Sánchez (Tottenham Hotspur).

  19. Post update

    Charlie Taylor (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  20. Post update

    Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Nick Pope.

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691 comments

  • Comment posted by Spudski, at 15:57 28 Feb

    That bloke Gareth Bale is passed it I read on here somewhere a couple of weeks ago?

    • Reply posted by MalcE, at 16:18 28 Feb

      MalcE replied:
      😂😂😂

  • Comment posted by Candy Kanes, at 16:01 28 Feb

    That was more like the Tottenham we’ve become accustomed to over the last few years. Excellent performance all around and some great performances by individuals, namely Bale.

    If we pick up positive results against Fulham and Palace, we could yet have a solid end to the season.

    Very happy Tottenham fan today.

    COYS!

    • Reply posted by MadGooner, at 17:08 28 Feb

      MadGooner replied:
      Soon as going gets tough he will Bale out again.

  • Comment posted by Wee Gee Bored, at 16:00 28 Feb

    Bale was above par today.

    • Reply posted by bobby smith, at 16:02 28 Feb

      bobby smith replied:
      Agree was fantastic

  • Comment posted by BE, at 16:02 28 Feb

    Roy Keane what a miserable sod

    • Reply posted by jimbo chumba, at 16:51 28 Feb

      jimbo chumba replied:
      Talks the truth though. Spurs bang average team.

  • Comment posted by U19253393, at 15:54 28 Feb

    What a great manager JM is and Bale and Spurs played great attractive attacking football again today, What a player Bale is.
    I wish that my team could play great flowing attacking football like this, good luck to Spurs.

    • Reply posted by Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa, at 16:05 28 Feb

      Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa replied:
      This Spurs side reminds me of a guy in our class who always puts his hand up to answer questions but fails his exams.

  • Comment posted by Candy Kanes, at 15:58 28 Feb

    There is still a Gareth Bale in there!

    • Reply posted by KR, at 18:26 28 Feb

      KR replied:
      Bale should start every game. He will only get fitter and improve his endurance with each game.

  • Comment posted by Football_fan23, at 15:59 28 Feb

    With Bale back to his best, Tottenham probably have the best front 3 in the league now.

    • Reply posted by bobby smith, at 16:04 28 Feb

      bobby smith replied:
      Not a bad shout but I think it’s still salad mane and firmino but they are second best in my opinion

  • Comment posted by Clem Fandango, at 16:02 28 Feb

    At least Burnley can say they did win one game in north London this season.

    • Reply posted by Mark, at 16:09 28 Feb

      Mark replied:
      Yes, and a game at Anfield too ...

  • Comment posted by it aint the heat its the humility, at 15:58 28 Feb

    Was Roy Keane dropped on his head as a Babba.

    • Reply posted by ThfC1979, at 16:03 28 Feb

      ThfC1979 replied:
      Probably two-footed by his dad

  • Comment posted by Kings Cross Bear, at 15:59 28 Feb

    Great to see an attacking performance, Bale looking like Bale and a win. Long may the style continue.

  • Comment posted by Whos on first base, at 16:03 28 Feb

    Gooners still tenth and over achieving.

    • Reply posted by Aoibh1111, at 16:21 28 Feb

      Aoibh1111 replied:
      Mind the gap goons 👍

  • Comment posted by Mick, at 15:59 28 Feb

    I saw Gareth Bale play a few times for Real Madrid on holiday in Spain. He’s a genuinely fantastic footballer.

    • Reply posted by parkylane street, at 16:01 28 Feb

      parkylane street replied:
      He is, and Harry sobs buckets every time Gareth shows him the Bale personal trophy cabinet.

  • Comment posted by church04, at 16:00 28 Feb

    Now mourinho that’s how your supposed to play football

    • Reply posted by Mikee, at 16:33 28 Feb

      Mikee replied:
      but where was the bus?!!
      can't play without a bus

  • Comment posted by graham, at 18:33 28 Feb

    Why do people always think it's good form to disrespect other teams because they have a lot less money to spend on top players. Teams like Burnley should be applauded for staying in the top flight for the last 5 seasons whilst operating on a shoestring budget and getting the most out of the players they can afford. Not every club is owned by moneybags billionaires so credit where it's due to BFC.

    • Reply posted by kevin, at 18:46 28 Feb

      kevin replied:
      Completely agree with you.

  • Comment posted by Mogwai, at 16:19 28 Feb

    As a neutral, I hope Bale will start more often

    • Reply posted by Chris Alexander, at 18:18 28 Feb

      Chris Alexander replied:
      Fairly safe to say he will after the last 2 games

  • Comment posted by CorneliusR, at 16:00 28 Feb

    When Spurs are allowed to play attractive football.. they play really well. Hope this is a turning point for Jose and he lets Spurs do what they do best.. which is play like they played today.

    • Reply posted by Curmudgeon, at 16:35 28 Feb

      Curmudgeon replied:
      He still needs to sort out the defence against better teams than Burnley.

  • Comment posted by SeeOnlyShed, at 16:11 28 Feb

    Were you watching Jose....?

    Well played Spurs.

    • Reply posted by Lancashire Exile, at 17:02 28 Feb

      Lancashire Exile replied:
      More like poor play from the Clarets. Last 3 games not even been in attendance.

  • Comment posted by ET, at 18:16 28 Feb

    Wd Spurs.
    On another note, very sad to see Glenn Roeder has passed away.
    A manager who always acted with class and dignity; gave everything as a player.
    RIP

    • Reply posted by blues1959, at 18:40 28 Feb

      blues1959 replied:
      Second that comment good fella