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Tottenham beat Wigan, keep hopes alive

Comment: 0 February 1st, 2012

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR are officially back in the Premier League title race as they cruised to a 3-1 win against Wigan at White Hart Lane on Tuesday.

The Spurs are currently only five points behind the two Manchester clubs who stand tied at 54 points. They also stand six clear from Chelsea. With 15 games remaining, the possibility of the Lilywhites to lift the crown seems more favourable.

Welsh international Gareth Bale scored twice and Luka Modric netted one for the Spurs, who controlled much of the match.

Bale’s first came in the 29^th from a Modric cross which he chested down for one bounce before blasting it with his left foot inside 10 yards of the Wigan box.

After two minutes came a scare for the Spurs as Rafael van der Vaart limped off the pitch due to an ailing calf.

The next goal came on the 34^th when Modric caught the ball from the top of the box and fired one that went past Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi.

The Hotspur defender completed his brace in the 64^th, after receiving a pass from Benoit Assou-Ekotto from the right side of the box. The left-footed finish went past two Wigan defenders to the far left corner of the goal.

As a consolation, Wigan’s James McArthur scored on the 81^st after outrunning most of the Spurs defenders for a clinical finish.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp had all praises for this star defender.

“Bale was terrific tonight,” beamed the Spurs boss. “He is an amazing talent. He’s unstoppable when he’s like that.”

“I am happy. We’re back up there again. I keep looking at the gap behind us. We’re 13 points ahead of Arsenal now – it’s a nice lead.”

Following a 0-1 slip-up by Manchester City against Everton, Tottenham are in prime position to challenge. However, their coming Premier League fixtures won’t hand them easy wins as they are set to visit Liverpool on Tuesday and host Newcastle United next Saturday.

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